Games for mental health: How video games can help with stress and depression

The impact of video games on mental health
Games can have a positive effect on mental health due to several factors:

Relaxation and stress reduction
Video games allow you to distract yourself from everyday problems and immerse yourself in a virtual world where you can forget about worries and worries. A few minutes of play can help relieve tension, lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and regain a sense of control.

Emotional therapy and self-expression
Some games allow players to express their emotions through characters or storylines, which can be helpful for those going through difficult times. Games allow you to "let go" of negative emotions in a safe environment, which can help people with depression or anxiety.

Social support and communication
Multiplayer games create opportunities for socialization and support. For many people, especially those who feel isolated or have difficulties with communication, online games become a place to find support and understanding among like-minded people.

Managing emotions through game mechanics
Games that involve complex mechanics, such as strategy or puzzles, can help develop stress management skills. In these games, it is important to learn to control your emotions, stay calm during crisis situations and react correctly to stressful moments.



Games specifically designed to improve mental health


Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
This game is one of the most famous examples of how video games can help treat mental illness. The story of the game focuses on the mental health of the protagonist, who suffers from psychosis. The game implements impressive audio and visual effects that allow players to understand what it's like to live with mental disorders such as hallucinations. The developers worked with psychologists to accurately convey the emotional state of the heroine, which helped raise awareness of mental health.

Journey
This game offers a peaceful, meditative experience where players can enjoy beautiful scenery, listen to soothing music, and traverse sandy landscapes without external threats. Journey is often used as an example of a game that can help calm nerves and relieve stress, as its pace is relaxed and the gameplay does not involve much difficulty.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
This game is a great example of how games can help with stress and depression. In the game, players engage in building, growing plants, fishing and other leisurely activities. For many people, it has become a place to escape from the real world and just enjoy the carefree island life.

Gris
Gris is another example of a game that takes an artistic approach to conveying emotion. The player follows a character as she goes through the various stages of grief, and her journey is accompanied by the unfolding of colors, a metaphor for emotional healing.

The Sims
Life simulators like The Sims give users the ability to create and manage the lives of characters, allowing them to build ideal environments and experience different scenarios without real-life consequences. It can become a kind of therapy for people who are looking for a way out of emotional difficulties through the management of virtual worlds.


How to use video games to improve mental health

Planning time to play
As with any other activity, it's important to find a balance. Games should not replace important aspects of life such as exercise, sleep and socialization. It is important to limit the time of the game and make sure that it does not turn into a means of escape from reality.

Search for suitable games
Choose games that match your emotional state. If you're feeling anxious or stressed, relaxing open-world or strategy games can help calm you down. Avoid games that cause strong emotions if you are stressed.

Using games as meditation
Games like Journey or Abzû can help you relax, similar to meditation techniques. Spend your time in the game enjoying the visual serenity and deep immersion.



Conclusion
Video games have great potential for positive effects on mental health. They can become not only a way of entertainment, but also a tool for reducing stress, improving emotional state and even as an adjunct to the treatment of mental illnesses. However, it is important to remember the balance and use games wisely, choosing those that have a positive effect on your well-being.