4 Ways Video Games Can Boost Your Memory

Posted by Jeff M.
2
Dec 5, 2019
579 Views

When you think of video games, what's the first thought that comes to your mind? For the uninitiated, it is a negative activity that increases addiction and promotes aggression, and this is not true at all. Though there are many myths surrounding the impact of video games, many recent studies have brought the positive correlation that exists between video games and memory.

Let's take a look at these studies and understand the ways by which video games can boost your memory.

Gives your brain some exercise

A study conducted at Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, Germany showed that video games boosted those areas of the brain responsible for memory, spatial orientation, fine motor skills, and organizing of information. Similar to how physical exercise is essential for good health like that video games help to exercise your brain and this is why it is recommended to play these games for at least 30 minutes each day. So, make sure you fit this into your everyday schedule!

Improved physical activity

Amy Lu, a professor at Northeastern University started a study to understand the impact of video games on physical activity. This study concluded concluded that when video games have a narrative, people tend to walk while listening to this narrative as it helps them to better understand the instructions. In fact, the study showed that participants who listened to the narrative took 23% more steps than those who didn't listen to the narrative or played a game that didn't have a narrative. Needless to say, this had an impact on their physical health. Also, the extra activity boosted the flow of adrenaline, that in turn, made them more active and productive through the rest of the day.

This is good news for game developers who are constantly looking for ways to capture the audience's attention with their ideas, execution, and of course, by choosing the right Minecraft server hosting  service.

Improved cognitive function

Video games improve the overall cognitive functions of the brain by impacting the different areas in it. For example, Super Mario 64 is a game that requires players to have a game plan on how to interact with objects in the virtual world. This planning gives a boost to the prefrontal cortex part of the brain that is responsible for critical tasks like decision making and social planning.

Likewise, the hippocampus is responsible for short-term and long-term memory and determines the way we store and process information. Research shows that video game players have a better-functioning hippocampus, that in turn, helps players to have better short-term and long-term memory.

Helps with problem-solving

Most video games available today need you to plan, strategize, and maybe even solve problems – all of which help you to perform better in the real world too. Games like Minecraft are specifically suited for improving these problem-solving skills and even give a wider perspective of the global world.

Thus, these are some of the ways video games can boost your memory.    
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