Book Freak 126: Play Games for a Better Brain
In this issue: four pieces of advice from SuperBetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient - Powered by the Science of Games by Jane McGonigal
Gain self-confidence by learning how to play a new game
“If you want to make a change for the better or achieve a tough goal, don’t worry about motivation. Instead, focus on increasing your self-efficacy: confidence in your ability to solve your own problems and achieve your goals. The fastest and most reliable way to increase your self-efficacy is to learn how to play a new game. Any kind of game will do, because all games require you to learn new skills and tackle tough goals. The level of dopamine in your brain influences your ability to build self-efficacy. The more you have, the more determined you feel, and the less likely you are to give up. You’ll learn faster because high dopamine levels improve your attention and help you process feedback more effectively. Keep in mind that video games have been shown to boost dopamine levels as much as intravenous amphetamines. Whenever you want to boost your dopamine levels, play a game—or make a prediction.”
Seek out awe
“When we feel awe, we experience time differently. We experience it as slow and expansive rather than rushed and limited. ‘Awe focuses people’s attention on what is currently unfolding before them,’ they wrote in the journal Psychological Science. “
Play video games and have better dreams
People who frequently play first-person games (which graphically show you the game world from the point of view of the hero, like Minecraft, Halo, and Portal) develop two rather amazing skills: They can halt nightmares in their tracks, controlling themselves in their dreams the way they control a character in a video game.”
Reap the benefits of extreme challenges
“Scientists have demonstrated that dramatic, positive changes can occur in our lives as a direct result of facing an extreme challenge whether it’s coping with a serious illness, daring to quit smoking, or dealing with depression. Researchers call this ‘post-traumatic growth.’”
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