Have you ever been stressed because of school, work, or anything else on your mind? Let me introduce you to video games. This is a hobby I have been doing for around a decade, and I do not plan on stopping. I don’t really remember life before video games because I started playing when I was like 4. It has changed my life and made me realize that, outside of sports, I am not looking for a new hobby to try out. All of the action-packed ones, the sports ones, and the ones that help me calm down and learn new things. All of the bonds I have built with friends and all of the memories I have made along the way. I will hopefully still be playing for the years to come. Whenever I am going through hardship, stressed because of school, or anything in general, I load up my PS5 and take my mind off things. Whenever I am sad, upset, or just bored, video games never fail to cheer me up. Whenever I feel lonely, or I feel like I need to breathe and reboot, I boot up the game and disconnect from the world.
Video games get a bad reputation from closed-minded people, but they are actually incredibly beneficial for your life. They serve as a massive brain workout by improving your problem-solving skills, memory, and fast reflexes. Beyond mental growth, gaming is the ultimate tool for stress relief. Whenever school or daily life gets stressful, loading up a game is the perfect way to unwind, escape your worries, and cheer yourself up. It is a healthy emotional coping method that helps people get through tough hardships. Modern games feature deep, immersive storylines that teach valuable life lessons and build empathy. But the absolute best benefit is the social aspect. Multiplayer gaming allows you to build lifelong bonds and make unforgettable memories with friends. It even lets you stay connected and catch up with old friends who have moved far away, proving that the fun never has to stop. Whether you are playing an action-packed, or sports game or a casual calming simulator to wind down, gaming sharpens your mind and protects your mental well-being. It is easily the best hobby to challenge yourself and stay connected.
Everyone should play video games again because it’s a great stress reliever most of the time and an amazing way to form bonds with people that you don’t see that much in real life. Imagine you have a best friend who used to go to school with you but then moved far away. You can still play video games and catch up whenever you want to. The fun doesn’t have to stop. Starting in gaming can feel totally overwhelming at first, but a few simple tips will make your experience awesome. First, do not feel pressured to play on hard mode, start on easy to learn the controls without getting frustrated. Next, try out different genres like racing, puzzles, or action to find what you actually enjoy. Do not spend tons of your cash on expensive gear right away, a basic setup works perfectly fine. Make sure to take regular short breaks so your eyes and wrists do not hurt. Finally, completely ignore any toxic players online and always focus on having fun.
Donavan Barton – Marist High School – DMSF Class of 2030
Photo Credit: sezer66 – Adobe Stock