Why Video Games are Good for Our Mental Health

DISCLOSURE: I am not a mental health professional. If you need help finding a mental health care provider, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit Online Therapy to call, message, or video chat a certified therapist online. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may also receive compensation from Online Therapy or other sources if you purchase products or services through the links provided on this page. You can read my full disclaimer.

People who play video games are often coined irresponsible, lazy, and childish. And, ya know, us gamers are most likely to be more violent than those who don’t play video games. But have y’all even checked the media lately?

Guns. Racism. Violence. Nearly every movie has some type of violence in it. Nearly every music video is sexualized. We can only be sheltered from the world so much.

I’m a firm believer of love not war, and I’ve been playing video games since before I could write simple sentences.

Some of my first memories were playing RollerCoaster Tycoon, Worms Armageddon, and Heroes of Might and Magic at my grandma’s house. It’s how I bonded with my family.

Flashforward all these years, and I still believe that playing video games is one of the best ways to entertain ourselves. Plus, there’s something ultra sexy about watching my boyfriend be competitive. Even though he is a little know-it-all.

If that’s not enough, video games have helped out my anxiety and depression tremendously over the years.

Why Video Games are Good for Our Mental Health:

1. ESCAPE ROUTE

Shooter games, puzzle games, adventure games, fighting games, sport games, roleplaying games. You name it. There are so many different types of video games. The possibilities of finding a game you connect with are endless.

Video games always take you on a journey. You can be engrossed in a fantasy world of Kingdom Hearts, and you get to be whoever you wanna be in The Sims.

A huge part of our struggle with depression is wishing we could escape from our lives. They help us escape from our head filled with anxiety. Putting on a video game has even allowed me to distract myself from self-harm.

2. WE GET TO SOCIALIZE

We know that board games bring people together. They’re how my family bonds nearly every Christmas. They’re how I used to become friends with people I didn’t know.

Well, the same goes for video games. Video games help keep the environment casual. They bring laughs. They create memories.

Playing games created so many inside jokes with my sister every time we failed at something, or every time we beat a boss together in a two player game.

Me and my boyfriend connect over video games on an almost daily basis. We always get excited when a new game we want comes out. We’ll even spend nights just watching ridiculous trailers on PlayStation Store. And, of course, then we’ll add games to our bucket list.

Plus, friendly competition can be a good thing. Unless I’m losing. I’m like the worst loser ever, I swear.

3. NOSTALGIA

I’m the type of person who hates throwing out anything with a good memory attached to it. This means that unless I absolutely despise it, I will never throw out or give away a video game. Even when I’m 75, I know I will always go back to them.

I was a much happier person when I was a kid. My anxiety wasn’t as severe, and I never dreamed of suicide.

Whenever I’m feeling my lowest, I whip out my old school video games. I still play my Age of Mythology on PC. I still play Streets of Rage and Earth Worm Jim (why is that game so freaking hard?) on my Sega Genesis. My favorite games will always be the ones I played as a kid.

Nostalgia brings up happy memories. Happy memories evoke happier feelings.

4. MENTAL STIMULATION

Do you play Words with Friends or Candy Crush on your phone? Well you, my friend, are playing video games. You might not believe me, but Call of Duty is not the only video game that exists in the world.

Yes playing video games all day, every day is unhealthy, just like it is to lay around watching movies all day. But unlike watching movies, video games use more than just our eyes, ears, and thoughts.

Playing games is the perfect way to stimulate our minds. In fact, we give our brain a workout every time we play. We use a lot of logic and reasoning skills. We brainstorm. We learn how to read a map and use spatial recognition. Oh, and yes we sweat in the midst of a heated battle.

Don’t believe me? Trying playing Flower or Brothers, and tell me that you don’t need tremendous hand-eye coordination to succeed at this game.

And with all this brain power, we’re bound to fight off our negative thoughts. Every time we play a game, we’re fighting off the anxiety and depression villain. 

We will be victorious.

Related post:

Do you play video games? What are your favorites?


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2 thoughts on “Why Video Games are Good for Our Mental Health

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