#8: Press Start to Focus: How Video Games Can Boost Productivity
Ever feel like your to-do list is personally attacking you? Or that your brain is running a marathon of overthinking? Same. But what if video games—yes, video games—were the secret weapon to help you regulate, refocus, and reset?
How Video Games Can Help Your Brain (Yes, Really!)
Science is backing us up on this. A study from the National Institutes of Health found that kids who played video games for three or more hours a day actually performed better on tasks involving memory and impulse control than those who didn’t play at all. Another study in Games for Health Journal found that video games can help regulate emotions. Meaning? That quick gaming break you take after an intense meeting or before tackling that overflowing inbox might actually be helping you focus better—not making you lazy. (Take that, productivity guilt!)
Why This Works (And Why I Swear By It):
Here are a few ways gaming can be a powerful tool for focus and emotional regulation:
Need help switching between tasks? Try Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Completing small in-game tasks can gently transition your brain instead of feeling yanked from one thing to another.
Feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated? A Short Hike is like a cozy, virtual deep breath. Instead of doom-scrolling, play something calming to help regulate your nervous system.
Caught in a negative thought spiral? A problem-solving game like It Takes Two forces you to focus on puzzles instead of your own overthinking. By the time you stop playing, you feel calmer, clearer, and way less caught up in your head.
How to Make This Work for You (Without Getting Stuck in a 5-Hour Gaming Binge):
Keep it short – 10-15 minutes max. Set a timer, play a few rounds, and move on.
Pick the right game for your mood – Some games hype you up, some calm you down. Choose wisely.
Use it as a tool, not an escape hatch – The goal isn’t to avoid your to-do list; it’s to make getting through it easier.
Ready to Try It?
The next time you’re feeling stuck—whether it’s switching tasks, shaking off stress, or getting out of your own head—try a short gaming break. Play Animal Crossing for 10 minutes between tasks, take a mental breather with A Short Hike, or dive into It Takes Two when your brain won’t stop spiraling.
And when you do? I want to hear about it! DM me or tag me in your stories—I want to know what game you tried and if it worked for you. Let’s start using video games as a tool for focus, regulation, and, let’s be real—just feeling a little more human in the workday.