4 Ways Video Games Can Boost Your Memory
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.
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