How Video Games Can Boost Your Mind, Mood, and Social Life
Once upon a time, the closest many of us got to “gaming” was a cheeky round of bingo at the local club or the annual Christmas Trivial Pursuit marathon.
But these days, the digital world has opened up a treasure trove of games that are not just for teenagers with lightning-fast thumbs. Seniors like us are discovering that gaming can sharpen the mind, lift the mood, and even get the body moving.
When I first dipped my toe into gaming, I half-expected to feel like a lost tourist in Tokyo without a map. But I soon found myself hooked, not just on the challenge, but on the surprising benefits.
Research shows that playing certain games can improve memory, boost problem-solving skills, and keep your reflexes in top form. It turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Wii Fit, The Couch Potato’s Gym
One of my proudest gaming moments wasn’t beating a boss in some epic adventure, but mastering balance games on the Nintendo Wii Fit. After recovering from an illness, those gentle exercises helped me regain strength and independence. I went from clinging to furniture for balance to standing tall like a kangaroo surveying the Outback.
The beauty of the Wii Fit is that it doesn’t matter if your knees creak like a rusty screen door. The games adapt to your pace. And nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing a virtual trainer congratulate you on a personal best… even if you had to take a cuppa break halfway through.
Social Connections Without Leaving Your Lounge Room
Online gaming isn’t just about zapping aliens or building virtual farms. It’s a way to connect with friends and family across the globe. I’ve played quiz games with my grandkids in London, raced digital go-karts with mates interstate, and even joined a virtual bowling league where the only injury risk was spilling my tea.
For seniors who might feel isolated, gaming can be a lifeline. You get the joy of companionship, shared laughter, and friendly competition without the hassle of travel or the shock of petrol prices.
Gaming for the Brain and the Belly Laughs
Some games keep the brain ticking like a well-oiled watch. Word puzzles, memory challenges, and strategy games can all give your mental muscles a good workout. Others bring out the belly laughs, especially when you accidentally send your virtual bowling ball flying into the gutter for the fifth time in a row.
And let’s not forget the “senior moments” that gaming throws at us. I once spent 15 minutes trying to open a locked virtual door before realising I’d been holding the wrong controller. My grandson still teases me about it. But here’s the thing — those moments are part of the fun. They keep us humble, human, and ready for the next challenge.
Why Seniors Should Pick Up a Controller
- Improves coordination and reaction times
- Strengthens memory and problem-solving skills
- Helps recovery after illness or injury
- Offers safe, social interaction from home
- Provides entertainment that beats reruns of daytime TV
So, if you’ve been curious about gaming but thought it was “not for people our age,” think again. Whether you’re balancing on a Wii board, solving a puzzle on your tablet, or taking down virtual pirates, there’s a game out there for you.
Life is short, mate. Why not spend part of it chasing virtual treasure, solving mysteries, or knocking over digital bowling pins? Just remember — in gaming, as in life, it’s not about how many times you fall, but how often you get back up… preferably before the cat walks across the console and logs you out.
Now, go on. Grab a controller, fire up a game, and give those grandkids a run for their money. And if you accidentally press the wrong button and launch your character off a cliff, don’t worry. We’ve all been there. The important thing is to laugh, reload, and try again.
Here is another gaming story to inspire senior like me.
Gaming is one of the reasons I Enjoy My Retirement Years More Than Working Ones.
Thanks Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming) inspiring me write this story today. Aiden is a supergamer with his own website and gaming story curator delighting seniors like me.
Check out his poignant yet inspiring stories Gaming, Fun, and Humor: The Lifelines That Rescued Me From Social Media’s Grip on My Life and Finding Comfort in Blocks: How Minecraft Eased My First Time Loneliness and Intense Grief at 17.
Gaming can make you a superlearner and my mentor, brilliant cognitive scientist Dr Mehmet Yildiz has confirmed it. I joined his superlearners club supporting seniors like me on Substack and now I am reaping the benefits.
Join our Superlearners community to enjoy your life in your retirement years.
About me
I am a retired healthcare scientist in my mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post. You can also find my distilled content on Substack: Health Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly. I also do guest-blogging. Welcome to Substackmastery.com!
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