This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.

Everyone is looking for a bit more happiness these days. Maybe it’s the stress of modern life or the fact that a lot is going on in the world, but people are generally less enthused about life than in previous generations. Therefore, many people are looking for activities and hobbies that will significantly improve their quality of life.

Luckily, research has shown that video games can provide a boost to your mental well-being and quality of life. When played mindfully, video games can provide a temporary escape, socialization opportunities, and improvements to your cognition. So, if you’re looking for a new hobby, then read on to learn about all the benefits that video games provide. Here are some reasons why video games are a great option to boost your happiness.

Provide A Temporary Escape

To say the world is a bit chaotic these days is an understatement. With so much going on, it’s completely understandable that people would want a bit of an escape. For many people, video games serve that exact purpose. They allow you to enter an entirely different world to help you forget the one you live in. Though escaping too much may hurt your mental health, occasionally absorbing yourself into new worlds and stories can relieve the stress of your day-to-day woes.

Utilize Brainpower

Though many people wouldn’t believe it, video games can actually boost your memory and cognitive skills. This is because video games often provide numerous challenges and problems to solve, which keep various parts of your brain active and engaged. This is a huge benefit to video games that doom scrolling, television, and social media cannot provide. Unlike these forms of modern entertainment, video games encourage you to be mentally active, as you need to keep your brain on and working hard to complete the next challenge and progress in the game.

Opportunities For Socialization

Video games aren’t just for solo players. Many games offer multiplayer options to allow friends and family to join in on the fun. Furthermore, modern gaming usually incorporates some form of online multiplayer, so not only can you connect with friends that are far away, but you can make new friends when playing your favorite games. Socializing is essential for a happy life, so this is an important benefit.

Can Temporarily Ease Loneliness

On the other hand, video games are also great if you just want a bit of downtime to yourself. It’s a hobby that you can actively participate in (unlike watching television or YouTube) and, therefore, can make your alone time seem a bit less lonely. It offers a temporary escape from your life but also gives you opportunities to interact with other players or simply engage in the vast worlds they provide. It’s a fun way to spend some quality “me time” and get away from the world for a bit.

Final Thoughts

Everyone deserves a relaxing and nice hobby to keep them happy. After all, it’s our interests and hobbies that enhance the quality of our life, not our responsibilities. Hopefully, this article made it clear that video games are a great way to boost your happiness and mental well-being.

Are you looking for other ways to improve your happiness? Click here for other tips and guides to becoming a happier person.