Gaming is often seen as a primarily male-centric hobby, and for a good reason. A study by the Entertainment Software Association found that nearly twice as many men (52%) as women (26%) identify themselves as gamers.
Most men see gaming as a form of stress relief. In a study by Brigham Young University, researchers found that “gaming can serve as an effective outlet for negative emotions and lead to decreased stress levels.” This makes sense considering the number of control gamers has in their virtual worlds. They can choose how they want to play and what they want to do, which can be a refreshing change from the stressors of everyday life.
It isn’t just anecdotal evidence; there are also numbers to back it up. A German research company DIMDI found that “almost half of all players (49 percent) use computer games at least occasionally to forget their daily routine and problems.” That number is even higher for men, with 60 percent saying they use gaming as a way to relieve stress.
So if your husband is a gamer, don’t be surprised if he turns to his favorite pastime to relieve some of the stress from work or everyday life. It’s something that most men do, and there’s no shame in it.
If you want your gamer husband to feel loved, here are a few things you can do.
Upgrade the PC
It can be challenging to stay updated with the latest trends around computers for gaming, but it’s worth it to invest in your husband’s gaming hobby. A great way to show you care is by upgrading the PC with the latest hardware. It will show that you’re paying attention to what he likes and that you’re willing to support his hobby.
Even if you’re not familiar with the technical side of things, there are plenty of ways to research which upgrades would be best for his setup. You can start by looking up popular games and seeing their system requirements. Alternatively, you can ask him what he thinks would improve his gaming experience. If you want everything to be a surprise, you can take a picture of the setup or the boxes where the equipment came from as a reference. Then, you can show it to a company that can build a better high-performance custom prebuilt gaming PC. The tactic ensures your upgrade will benefit your husband’s gaming experience.
Whether it’s a new graphics card, more RAM, or a faster processor, any upgrade will receive appreciation from your husband and will surely make him happy.
Get into Gaming Yourself
One way to show your husband that you care about his hobby is by getting into gaming yourself. It doesn’t matter if you’re not very good at it; the effort will mean a lot to him.
You can start by asking him to teach you how to play one of his favorite games. He’ll be happy to help and will likely enjoy spending time with you while doing something he loves.
Alternatively, you can watch him play and try to understand what he enjoys about it. Once you know what kind of games he likes, you can also find some that you might enjoy. Remember that not all games are created equal, so don’t expect to like everything he plays. It’s okay to have different tastes in games; the important thing is that you’re trying to understand his hobby.
You can also try playing some cooperative games together. These are games where players work together to achieve a common goal, such as building a base or surviving waves of enemies. Working together in these games can be a fun bonding experience for you.
Be Of Service
If you have a gamer husband, you can find ways to be supportive. One way to help your husband stay engaged in gaming is by cooking for him. If he’s been playing games for hours, he’s likely to be hungry. You can show that you’re supportive of his hobby and care for him by cooking his favorite foods.
Even better, try cooking the same dish he likes to eat in the game. There’s something special about enjoying a home-cooked meal inspired by one of your favorite games.
Another way to support your husband’s gaming hobby is simply being there for him. When he’s playing, take the opportunity to relax and do something you enjoy. You’ll be available when he wants to take a break or talk about the game. Conversely, don’t force him to participate if he’s not interested in gaming. Just spending time together is enough to show your support.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that we all have different interests. What matters is that we support each other in whatever we do. So if your husband loves gaming, do everything you can to help him. He’ll appreciate it and will likely return the favor when you need it.
Happy Gaming, Happy Life
Just as you support your husband in his other hobbies and interests, you must show that you support his gaming experience. It means being there for him when playing, cooking, and even getting into the games yourself. Doing this will create a strong bond between you two that will carry over into other parts of your relationship. Additionally, supporting each other’s hobbies can help reduce stress and promote a healthy lifestyle. So go ahead and embrace your husband’s love of gaming; it might make your lives a little happier.
