Play Video Games to Rebuild Your Attention Span

Key Wellness / Self-Care / Productivity Strategies

• Recognize how modern media trains attention

  • Short-form content, endless scrolling, constant notifications, and frequent self-interruptions teach the brain to:
    • Switch tasks quickly
    • Dismiss things that don’t grab attention in the first seconds
    • Seek instant dopamine rather than patient payoff

• Re-train focus by practicing “staying with one thing”

  • Use slower, deeper experiences (especially the right kind of games) to rebuild the ability to remain engaged long enough for it to become rewarding.
  • The “uncomfortable” early stage of a slower activity is normal—don’t treat it as boredom too quickly.

• Choose games that encourage deep attention (avoid attention-trap design)

  • Better for attention-building:
    • Games that require settling in, learning the world, remembering details, and staying engaged (examples mentioned: Breath of the Wild, Elden Ring)
    • Exploration and curiosity-driven play where you can wander without constant context switching
    • Challenge-based learning where rushing is punished and careful observation is rewarded
  • Potentially harmful (or less helpful):
    • Games designed like social media loops (login rewards, repetitive tasks, daily bonuses, “one more thing” cycles) that mirror the same restless scrolling state

• Play with intentional habits (don’t recreate the same distractions)

  • During gameplay:
    • Give the game real time—don’t treat it as a quick break
    • Put your phone away (even in another room if necessary)
    • Don’t pause for distractions like checking your phone or frequently consulting guides
    • Let dialogue and story unfold at the intended pace
    • Travel and progression slowly when the game allows it

• Use “active involvement” to make focus feel easier

  • Games help attention because you’re actively doing things (choosing, reacting, remembering, learning) rather than passively consuming.

• Reframe boredom as early resistance

  • What feels like boredom may be the initial discomfort your brain feels when pacing and immediate rewards aren’t present.
  • The goal is to practice staying through that resistance.

• Expect long-term benefits across life

  • As attention rebuilds, you may find:
    • Less craving for short-form reels/constant stimulation
    • Renewed enjoyment of movies, books, and games
    • Greater appreciation of quiet moments and deeper engagement

Presenters / Sources Mentioned

• Presenter: Not named in subtitles
• Games referenced as examples:
  • Breath of the Wild
  • Elden Ring
• Films referenced as examples:
  • The Shawshank Redemption
  • The Lord of the Rings (including “Extended Trilogy”)
• Book-related references: No specific author/book named
• YouTube: Mentioned as pushing shorts