Can Gaming Help You Unwind?

Gaming is no longer the realm of teenage boys. These days gaming is truly diverse. Adult and female gamers are on the rise. The world is waking up to the realisation that gaming is bigger than the music and film industries combined. Yes, it’s a big deal. So perhaps you shouldn’t be so quick to throw that console into storage – you’ll find there are stacks of really useful benefits to gaming when it comes to winding down after a long day’s work!

Now that we’ve seen a bit more about the research, let’s go over the three key reasons why and how gaming helps us unwind after a long day. Understanding these and how they work can help us to achieve the rest that we need to fully recharge our batteries and improve our wellbeing.

The flow state is something that is often talked about in gaming psychology. It is the state of mind we reach when fully immersed in something; when other things seem distant and we are 100% focused on a task. Gaming is near purpose designed to bring this state into play, helping to clear our minds of other thoughts and keep us focused. If you’re into meditation and think this sounds similar, you’re not wrong! The flow state is often compared to meditation in studies, and while it is not exactly the same, many of the benefits are shared.

Gratification is something we don’t get enough of in life. We work hard, study hard, develop ourselves, and often the results of this only appear far in the future. These long-term periods without gratification can lead to frustration. Gaming, meanwhile, offers a quick way to get gratification, and when handled properly can make a healthy way to get a quick dopamine rise to get through those waiting periods in other areas of your life.

Finally, there’s the part of the brain that activates to reward us for engagement. This psychological pattern, named the Triumph circuit, makes us feel great once we overcome challenges that present themselves in life. While big achievements outside of games do this too, conquering a raid boss or beating your personal best can activate this part of our minds, helping to lift our moods.

So, gaming has a lot of benefits. And our UK Sleep Survey revealed that 12% of the nation spends their time gaming before bed. But how do we unplug after an intense raid or a long night of farming sims? Everyone will find different things work for them, but here are three key points that generally work well for most:

1. Keep to your sleep schedule
2. Give yourself time after playing to wind down with tea, a book, or even some music
3. Don’t caffeinate when playing late

Keeping up a regular sleep schedule is important, as your body learns the best times to rest and be active. It can be tempting to play a little longer, and on occasion, it’s fine to do so, but don’t let it become a habit. Alongside this, avoiding the classic gamer drinks that are high in caffeine can help your mind relax after the focus you’ve had during your games. Plus, it stops you from blocking off a natural tired state when your normal bedtime approaches.

Finally, giving yourself an hour or so after games to reset your mind and prepare for bed is a good way to reground yourself. Whether this involves having a gaming setup that can tuck away fully, or simply giving yourself some well-deserved pampering, that’s up to you.

Video games are an important part of many people’s lives, and being a professional doesn’t mean you need to give it up. With the right setup and schedule, you can keep gaming throughout your life to reap the benefits, all without sacrificing a well-deserved rest afterwards. So go on, keep raiding, keep shooting, keep fighting. Just make sure to keep well-rested through it all!