Taking time out of the workday to play video games may seem counterproductive to some, but to us, it’s an important part of our monthly schedule. In this post, I’ll share the top 3 reasons why we play video games on a regular basis and how it’s helped increase our productivity.
Boosting our Moods
We love what we do and we pride ourselves on doing it well. But at times it can be stressful and we need a way to relax our minds and release anxious thoughts.
A 2013 study by the American Psychological Association showed that easy games can decrease rumination and increase happiness. By redirecting our attention to something light-hearted for a while we’re able to return to our work with a sense of renewal.
Often times, I find that getting away from my desk for a few moments and focusing on something else is just what I need to create headspace for a new perspective. Sometimes, just having the option to step away for a few minutes to race down Rainbow Road is enough to put me in a better feeling place.
As an employee, I value having the option to step away without feeling guilt or pressure to work from an uninspired mindset. The rest of my teammates agree that keeping a Nintendo Switch on hand for relieving stress and relaxing is one of the benefits of working in the office rather than remotely.
Problem Solving and Strategic Thinking
Those who are familiar with Mario Kart know that winning takes strategy. For example, each avatar comes with a different set of skills that you must discover and compare against the others. Picking your character is a strategic process. If your teammate picks Bowser, then you’d better be careful about getting stuck with Peach. On the other hand, Peach is smaller and lighter – she can zip through tight spaces and speed up faster than some of the others.
When we’re designing a website or planning the user experience (ux) strategy for a client, it’s imperative that we think through every aspect of the experience from the user’s point of view and from the client’s perspective. We need to be able to weigh the pros and cons of every decision and recommendation that we give. Gaming gives us practice for this kind of critical thinking.
Organic Communication
Gathering for gaming time keeps our working environment light and comfortable. As a project manager, playing games creates an environment for me to explore communication styles organically. Gaming time is an awesome way to start conversations without any pressure to perform, it leads to authentic connections and increased trust among co-workers.
We set aside time each month for video games because it gives us an atmosphere to talk through any roadblocks we faced without the conversation feeling forced. When I’m able to connect with a teammate and learn more about them, it’s much easier to define how I can support them better. When our minds are relaxed we’re more receptive to taking and giving feedback to each other.
We find that making space for playing video games is among the easiest practices to implement to increase our productivity by decreasing our stress levels. I also believe that the quality of our work is a direct reflection of the chemistry that we have as a team. Mario Kart is simply a tool that we use to foster that chemistry. Not only do we feel happier and more creative, but the bonding that we do as a team over a gaming session has led to the development of award-winning work.
So the next time you’re looking for a simple way to refresh your employees, try grabbing some controllers!
