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Are video games a healthy hobby?

It can negatively impact your relationships, education or career, and other interests and activities you once enjoyed. It can also cause physical health problems if you miss sleep, skip meals, forgo exercise and neglect your personal hygiene to keep playing.
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Are playing video games healthy?

It's true that some studies have shown certain video games can improve hand–eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and the mind's ability to process information. But too much video game playing may cause problems. It's hard to get enough active play and exercise if you're always inside playing video games.
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What hobbies can replace video games?

If you don't have any ideas, here are some quick alternatives to video games that you can try:
  • Learning a new language.
  • Learning a new instrument.
  • Computer programming.
  • Starting an online business.
  • Photography.
  • Reading.
  • Learning how to cook.
  • Volunteering.
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Are video games healthy or unhealthy?

Video games are a great source of entertainment, socializing and even education for both children and adults. But they can also cause health problems on the inside and out. This can include anything from poor sleep to low self-esteem. Too much time in front of the screen can also harm vision.
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How many hours is OK to play video games?

For kids over the age of 6, the American Academy of Pediatrics says no more than 60 minutes on school days and 2 hours on non-school days. Kids under 6 should spend closer to 30 minutes. It's also appropriate for parents to know and approve the games their kids are playing.
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Why You Should Quit Playing Video Games

How long should a 18 year old play video games per day?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours per day of screen-based entertainment.
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What are the signs of gaming addiction?

Signs to Watch For
  • Thinking about gaming all or a lot of the time.
  • Feeling bad when you can't play.
  • Needing to spend more and more time playing to feel good.
  • Not being able to quit or even play less.
  • Not wanting to do other things that you used to like.
  • Having problems at work, school, or home because of your gaming.
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Are video games healthier than TV?

Watching television appeared to be associated with poorer outcomes more than playing electronic games or using computers. The risk of emotional problems and poorer family functioning increased with EACH additional hour of watching TV or electronic game and computer use.
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How does gaming affect the brain?

Functional MRI brain imaging analyses found that children who played video games for three or more hours per day showed higher brain activity in regions of the brain associated with attention and memory than did those who never played.
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Do video games help your brain?

Video games can increase your brain's gray matter.

Studies have shown that playing video games regularly may increase gray matter in the brain and boost brain connectivity. (Gray matter is associated with muscle control, memories, perception, and spatial navigation.)
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Is gaming a hobby or an addiction?

Video games are deliberately designed to be addictive and that is when harm can occur – including gaming effects on the brain. Gaming can turn from a fun hobby to a destructive addiction if the balance tips and gaming starts to consume your every waking hour.
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What can I replace my gaming addiction with?

12 Alternatives to Video Games
  • Art, dance, or music lessons.
  • Nature activities such as whitewater rafting or hiking.
  • Martial arts.
  • Learning to code.
  • Internships at startups.
  • Competitive Sports.
  • Boy Scouts/Eagle Scouts.
  • Volunteering.
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How do you break a gaming addiction?

But if you're so fixated on gaming that it feels like it's taking over your life, you may have a video game addiction.
...
Distract yourself with other fun activities during the day.
  1. Reading.
  2. Going for walks or playing active games outdoors.
  3. Spending time with your friends or family.
  4. Working on a hobby or creative project.
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Why is gaming good for mental health?

Gaming, when used positively, can be a really helpful way to look after your mental health. This is because it can give us a space to unwind, relax and take time out from the pressures of daily life – just like reading can, or going for a walk.
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Do video games affect mental health?

Gaming Causes Poor Emotional Regulation

One of the biggest negative effects of video games can lead you to struggle with regulating your emotions properly. Studies show that people diagnosed with Internet gaming disorder are more likely to be aggressive, depressed, and anxious.
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What is the healthiest way to play video games?

Smart Ways to Make Playing Video Games Healthier
  1. Set limits. ...
  2. Play as a reward. ...
  3. Choose games wisely. ...
  4. Keep play safe. ...
  5. Don't lose sleep. ...
  6. Mix in something active. ...
  7. Make play social. ...
  8. Use games for physical therapy.
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Does gaming ruin dopamine?

Many gamers report having problems with anxiety and depression, and low dopamine levels can be why. For example, Vadim from Russia, one of our members, says he was extremely anxious and exhausted when he played games excessively, yet he kept on playing them, which caused his health to decline.
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Why do I feel weird after playing video games?

Liquid in the semicircular canals of your inner ear allows you to sense if you're moving. But the brain can get confused if your inner ear senses that you're sitting still while your eyes see the action on the screen and tell the brain you're moving. That may leave you feeling sick, dizzy, or drowsy.
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Do video games deplete dopamine?

The reward center in the brain releases dopamine in response to a pleasurable experience or hyperarousal. If a person experiences hyperarousal while playing video games, the brain associates the activity with dopamine. The person develops a strong drive to seek out that same pleasure again and again.
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Is reading more healthy than video games?

Without a question, reading is a lot more educational than playing video games. Your intellect is going to benefit a lot more from reading a book than from playing a game. You will explore new worlds while developing your brain, learning new things, and new words.
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Are video games a good waste of time?

Video Games Can Lead to Less Time Spent Reading

Most games still do not contain large amounts of text. This means kids will not be spending a lot of time reading as they play video games. If their time playing games is not limited, they will not spend much time outside the classroom practicing their literacy skills.
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Why is my kid so addicted to Minecraft?

Parents must understand that Minecraft is addictive because it allows players to set their own goals and encourages them to work at those goals until completion. Some goals are short-term, and others are long-term. This combination of personal goal setting can make it difficult for kids to find a place to stop.
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How many hours of gaming is considered an addiction?

For video game play to be classified as addictive, one must engage in them for at least 15 to 20 hours each week or more. This amounts to an average of three hours each day. This sort of play can cause lasting damage to the health and well-being of people, including their relationships and productivity.
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How do I detox my child from video games?

7 Ways to Wean your Child off Video Games
  1. Play a video game with your child. ...
  2. For one week, keep a log of the time spent playing video games. ...
  3. Show them what that amount of time represents in other activities. ...
  4. Arrange active indoor or outdoor activities for your children and their friends.
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What are 3 symptoms of video game addiction?

Symptoms of video game addiction include:
  • Being preoccupied with playing video games.
  • Having trouble cutting down on video game use.
  • Using video games as a way of coping with unwanted emotions.
  • Losing of interest in other activities due to gaming.
  • Lying about how much time you spend gaming.
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