Is Playing Video Games Good Or Bad For You?

I have always loved playing video games. One game I loved more than any other was Sims. Yes, I love Sims and I’m not afraid to admit it. In fact, I started playing it when it was released way back in 2000 and still play it to this day.

It was just a great way to escape the drama of every day life and distract you when you felt like you needed to switch off.

However, with the rise in popularity of video games, people have been asking the question of whether it’s good or bad for you, more than ever.

What is the verdict? Good or Bad.

Well it’s complicated but one psychoanalyst, Steve McKeown founder of The McKeown Clinic, recently weighed in on the debate and explained that people who play simulation games like Sims are happier and healthier. He said:

“Life Simulation games such as The Sims may replace the reality that we know and live in, when internet speeds become fast enough. The suggestion that we may spend more time in a virtual world than the physical one has been developing speedily over the years and has fast become a way in which we can live an alternative life in exactly the way we want.”

Basically, The Sims lets you live out your dream existence when your real life is getting you down a bit.

Funnily enough though, the reason he gave for people’s happiness is also the reason I see it as problematic.

To give you an example from my personal experience: I stopped playing the game as much because I realized that sometimes I spend way too much time on there. To the point that I’m quite frankly neglecting my real life for a fake one and that’s not on.

At the end of the day, a virtual life is all fun and games but what is the real value or meaning in it? No real valuable connections are formed; you’re not making a real difference in the lives of people around you and if you’re not making real connections or contributions to the world – what are you even doing in life?

Nothing worthwhile if you ask me.

So what I’m trying to say is – I think it’s fine to use Sims or games if you’re having a bit of a bad day and you want to distract yourself for a while BUT if you start living your Sims life more than your own – then you might want to rethink your life choices…