It is a blazing summer day. For the fifth day in a row, you hide underneath your sheets. The world that peeks through your blinds asks the question, “today?” Cold air blasts from the AC and fills the room, making you shiver. Your body has started to feel like it is collapsing on itself. “Not today,” the hurting heart answers.
Maybe you have felt similarly during the pandemic, as though you have suddenly hit a roadblock and all you can do is sit, feeling powerless. I certainly have. Depression rates have hit an all-time high in adults and young adults are the most affected of these groups. But with the high costs of traditional mental health care in these times of economic uncertainty, what should people do? One unlikely therapy has proven to be effective — video games.
Why video games? According to a recent Microsoft study within the Xbox Research Accessibility Community Feedback Program, “84% of respondents agreed gaming has positively impacted their mental health over the past year, while 71% said gaming helped them feel less isolated.” Per the survey, an overwhelming number of gamers report that video games have positively affected their mental health. This link between playing video games and feeling less lonely may be stronger because of pandemic isolation.
Still, there has been a connection to improved mental health and video games even before that. A 2014 scientific report conducted by individuals at Radboud University found evidence of improved mood or increase in positive emotion when playing preferred video games. Studies suggest that playing puzzle video games such as Angry Birds and Tetris, can improve players’ moods, promote relaxation and ward off anxiety. Many players will experience flow or transportation, where the player becomes immersed in the rewarding activity and feels a high sense of control while also losing self-consciousness. These flow experiences may have especially positive effects for individuals recovering from traumatic experiences.
Video games differentiate from other forms of media because it requires the consumer to engage with the material. This special relationship is why video games can be linked to cognitive benefits. One of these benefits is spatial skills. A 2014 Radboud University analysis concluded that “spatial skills improvements derived from playing commercially available shooter video games are comparable to the effects of formal (high school and university-level) courses aimed at enhancing these same skills.”
Shooter games can improve spatial skills and act as a healthy coping mechanism for people unsatisfied with their lives. In games like Grand Theft Auto or Doom, players can filter their frustration and pent-up feelings through simulated action. They have control of their narrative, garnering a sense of agency that they otherwise lack in their daily life. However, proponents argue that consuming video games has negative drawbacks.
What are the drawbacks of playing video games? A 2020 article by Harvard University states that video game addictions have the following symptoms “gaming preoccupation, withdrawal, tolerance, loss of interest in other activities, downplaying use, loss of relationship, educational or career opportunities and failure to control.”
Although you should be wary of how much you are playing video games, many other mental health outlets are dangerous in overconsumption. One highly effective method to improve mental health is working out. Because of the dopamine released when exercising, people who exercise prove to be in better mental states than people who do not. Video games, while not a physical activity, can produce serotonin, similar to dopamine. When first introduced, most of society looked down upon books and exercise, but now they are integral parts of our lives.
I am not saying that every person must play video games to live a better life, but gaming in moderation can benefit a person’s mental state. A solution to the issue of overconsumption is to limit the amount of time you spend playing video games. Playing for 30 minutes to two hours a day alongside physical activity is a healthy balance.
Another argument proponents make is that video games are making young generations more violent and aggressive. According to a 2017 article by the National Center for Health Research, the longer individuals are exposed to violent video games, the more likely they are to have aggressive behaviors, thoughts and feelings. I disagree with the findings of this article.
Aggressiveness is linked to the competitive nature of a game, not the level of violence. I played the very popular multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legends for three years. Although the level of violence is not as graphic as a game like Mortal Kombat, the highly competitive aspect created a very toxic environment, much more than a game like Doom. While aggressive behavior may stem from playing such games, an increase in violence cannot be directly linked to it.
Video games are only one risk factor amongst many to consider when evaluating aggressive behavior. Other factors like mental illness, environment and access to guns are greater risks to consider. Much of the studies conducted on this subject have little to no conclusive findings, since too many factors outside of the videogame play a part in aggressive behavior. It is hard to generalize the connection when video games can be so different. Not every video game will have the same effect on the individual, so while I do not recommend playing competitive video games to improve your mental health, it might have a positive impact based on how you perceive it.
I want to reiterate that video games are not a replacement for therapy and other forms of professional mental health treatment. People who have mental illnesses or are recovering from traumatic events should seek out professional treatment. However, traditional mental health care is not always affordable and within reach. As a practice to relieve feelings of discontent and stress, playing video games is a viable option. A WebMD article lists several mental health benefits from playing, including mental stimulation, feelings of accomplishment, mental health recovery, social interaction and emotional resilience.
Although my experience does not account for all, playing video games helped me better regulate my emotions and organize my routine. One simulator game that helped me, Animal Crossings, has the player be the mayor of a new town, in which you are responsible for building the town up and creating bonds with the villagers.
Despite the relatively simple premise, I made extensive plans to maximize my resources within the time frame. I initially relied on everything working out the way I planned it to, but it did not and I was led to disappointment. This way, I learned to balance planning a routine while expecting unpredictability and enjoying it. It forced me to be patient and pay more attention to little details that I would’ve otherwise missed due to my macro-management. I also felt like a part of a larger community that shared love for this game, making friends and sharing strategies.
Video games are not only a source of entertainment, but an effective therapy. I reduced the mental stress from the effects of a sudden pandemic by using video games as an outlet. It proved to help stimulate me intellectually and gauged my creativity for new and unique possibilities. Much like books, video games can provide a sense of escape from your everyday life. Next time you have a bad day and feel down on yourself, try playing a video game. Who knows–—you might love it.
Lizzy Rager is a copy-editor for The Express.
