Gaming and Mental Health represents one of the more-recent areas researchers have been investigating, trying to determine how they relate.
The simple answer, however, is that it’s not that simple.
The effects of gaming on mental health are complex and will fluctuate depending upon the individual and what type of game they play.
For instance, a relatively new genre of video game has emerged recently that has a kind of meditative feel to it.
Perhaps the most interesting of these was “Journey,” in which you, as the unnamed main character, travel toward a distant mountaintop.
You have a companion, as well, and it’s not revealed until the end credits that this nameless partner is actually another real-world player on his or her own journey.
It’s a peaceful experience and indicates another level of how games can be calming and good for mental health.
But let’s dig into the pros and cons of gaming and mental health.
Gaming and Mental Health: Positive Effects
The positive effects of gaming and mental health have been documented. Not only do games encourage stress reduction (as long as you’re not a rage quitter) but they also promote relaxation and can improve your mood. Now, back to the stipulation above. The reaction to specific types of games certainly depends upon the gamer. But the bottom line is that games can help people escape reality for however long they would like to. That can help reduce anxiety or depression, at least temporarily. Life can be stressful but taking some time to escape – much like those who like to attend movies to unplug – can be beneficial to long-term mental health. Although these effects can be achieved in single-player games, multiplayer adventures have their own built-in set of positive effects. Isolated people, for example, could build their social connections and feel like they belong. Beyond that, some might even see their own feelings of self-worth grow, as they work on a team to solve puzzles or, perhaps, beat an opposing team in a shooter or sports game.
Gaming and Mental Health: Negative Effects
Like so many other activities, video games also can have negative side effects if not held in moderation. That’s why it’s important to understand what negatives you might experience when it comes to gaming and mental health. Gaming in excess could lead to social isolation, poor academic or work performance and disrupted sleep patterns. Each of these examples, of course, can result in long-term problems so it’s important to moderate. There are conflicting studies, of course, related to the long-talked-about topic of whether playing violent video games might lead to aggression or reduced empathy. However, it’s important to understand that the reports are out there. The more you understand the research, the better equipped you will be in trying to avoid the pitfalls of gaming and mental health development.
Gaming and Mental Health: Moderation is Key
Like other vices that have been known to lead to addiction, moderation is crucial to mitigate the negative effects when you think about gaming and mental health. It’s important to prioritize balance between the online world and the real world. That way, you can still build social skills while also being able to take what are often much-needed mental breaks. Do not allow gaming to become a vice. Instead, continue using it as a tool to escape, at least temporarily. Limit gaming to a reasonable amount of time. Be aware and purposefully cognizant of whether your gaming interferes with daily responsibilities. That’s a tip off that the relationship between your gaming and mental health may be off-kilter. Take steps to address potential issues.
Gaming and Mental Health: Benefits of Mindful Gaming
Let’s take a step back here and explain that it’s not all bad news, of course. Not only does gaming have positive effects on mental health – as explained above. But mindful gaming, generally defined as engaging in games intentionally and with awareness, can improve someone’s mental health. What is mindful gaming? It is a type of gaming that involves being present in the moment, practicing self-awareness and avoiding excessive and uncontrolled gaming behaviors. The one thing to remember here is that you want to be in control of your emotions and be able to recognize when you are starting to edge toward the destructive behaviors outlined above.
Let’s not sugarcoat this: the interaction of gaming and mental health is a complex situation, one with no one-size-fits-all solution that will make everybody healthy. One of the major components here is self-awareness. The positive effects are real, of course. But so are the potential negatives. The key determining factor here is you. You need to understand the potential pitfalls while also being a mindful gamer. That is, someone self-aware enough to understand when you need to call it quits, either because that boss you can’t beat is getting into your head or that level has you fuming. Practice mindful gaming, prioritize balance and moderation, and promote overall wellbeing.
