Having over 7 million active players, Dota-2 is one of the most popular online video games in the world. The rapid growth of popularity of online games rises an important question – how does it affect your mental health? Due to the fact that many games contain a lot of violence, people tend to think that indulging in them inevitably creates a negative imprint on the players’ minds. This, however, is far from the truth.
Regardless of the fact that Dota-2 also has some violent aspects to it, that is not the focus of the game. Here are 7 ways playing the game will actually have a positive impact on your mental health.
1. A sense of community and connection
One of the main reasons people develop a passion for video games is the human connection they enable. This has become especially relevant once the pandemic hit. The feelings of isolation and loneliness are some of the key negatives the quarantine has brought upon us and our mental health. As a result, even more people indulged in online games. Surrounding yourself, even in a digital medium, with people you have something in common with has a lot of positive impact on your health.
It’s also been noted that this way of meeting people is helpful for individuals who struggle with social anxiety. The environment removes a good portion of pressure and allows you to test out and improve your social skills.
2. Creativity boost
Dota-2 is a whole universe of its own. It’s a made-up world with made-up rules, population, and a certain philosophy. Emerging into a new world that is nothing like the one we live in makes you think outside the box you’re used to living in daily. The need to solve problems that are impossible in the real world lets your imagination run free. This leads to numerous positive outcomes, like using this boost of creativity in your work.
Dota-2 can inspire something that the real world would never make you think of, which means that you’re enabling yourself to have some rather unique ideas. Feeling creative and extraordinary leaves a positive imprint on your self-esteem.
3. A sense of accomplishment
Playing Dota-2 involves completing goals, reaching objectives, and accomplishing numerous tasks. The satisfaction we feel whenever we cross off a task from a list or receive a badge or a trophy for completing a mission positively affects our self-esteem and mental state. This is also one of the reasons people look for good bingo sites so often nowadays. A big advantage online casinos have is the fact that they actually bring you income.
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4. Mental stimulation
Dota-2 is a strategic game that requires planning, analysis, and strategic thinking. Even if playing is fun, you still have to actively think and make decisions the whole time. This sort of mental exercise can actually help you develop your analytical and critical thinking skills further. Creating new neural networks in your brain is important and affects many areas of your life. Learning how to make impactful decisions in a game will make it easier for you to make such decisions in real life.
5. Having a hobby
Hobbies are one of the biggest components of what we’re building our identities around. Being passionate about playing Dota-2 is as meaningful as collecting puzzles or knitting. It gives you a sense of identity. You know who you are, you know what you enjoy and find interesting. It’s hard to overestimate the importance of having a sense of identity to your mental health.
6. Leadership skills
The fact that Dota-2 is a strategic game strongly implies that rather often the game requires some teamwork. While you have many opponents, you learn how to make allies as well. It’s not, however, enough, to have people on your side. You also have to think through how each one is going to contribute in order for you to achieve the goal you have in common.
This stimulates you to learn how to delegate and communicate responsibilities. Not only can this have a positive impact on your day-to-day life, but it also boosts your sense of self-worth.
7. Dealing with your emotions
Failure doesn’t feel good. Not in a game, not in real life. Losing a game over and over is frustrating, but it also helps you learn how to cope with this frustration. It’s actually one of the reasons it’s advised that children play video games. It helps you practice dealing with these emotions and communicating them in a healthy way. Moreover, it enables you to learn how to get over your failures and try again.
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