Video Games and Mental Health

Video games have long been associated with entertainment, competition, and fun! But in recent years, researchers and mental-health professionals have begun to recognize their potential for emotional and psychological well-being. Far from being just a pastime, many games offer safe spaces for creativity, social connection, stress relief, and emotional regulation. Titles like Animal Crossing and The Sims, along with a growing number of mindfulness and relaxation apps, show how interactive digital experiences can support mental health in meaningful ways. 

There has been a running topic if video games are detrimental to the minds of kids or young adults, but are they really that bad? 

Being able to have something in your control is a nice feeling, and not having the thought of a deadline, a time limit, or someone micro-managing everything you do. Of course you have those types of games that can cause more anger, specifically Call of Duty, Fortnite or Online GTA- Where either you can win or there’s someone preventing you from enjoying the game. 

But you have the chiller games, maybe a story based game you just started or picked up where you left off. Having a Minecraft realm with friends who are all singing or screaming in a discord call and you have a slight roleplay happening. 

Being online, or offline, on a game can absolutely help destress your mind, relax yourself and end your day with enjoyment. 

A Safe Space for Connection and Community 

One of the most powerful mental-health benefits of video games is the sense of community they can create. During stressful events-such as the 2020 pandemic-millions of people found comfort by connecting in digital worlds when real-world interactions were limited. 

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the strongest examples. The game became a global haven of calm, encouraging players to decorate islands, exchange gifts, and visit friends virtually. These small but meaningful interactions helped people stay socially connected and reduce feelings of isolation. Even today, the game’s gentle social mechanics can help players maintain relationships at their own pace. For people with social anxiety, this kind of low-pressure interaction provides a way to practice communication in a safe, non-judgmental environment. 

Online communities that form around games; whether it’s sharing island designs in Animal Crossing or house layouts in The Sims-also create opportunities for creative expression and positive feedback, both of which are linked to improved mood and self-esteem. 

Creativity as Emotional Release 

Creativity is one of the most therapeutic tools we have, and many video games tap directly into this. The Sims is a great example: it allows players to design homes, build families, and create entire fictional lives. This type of sandbox gameplay encourages imagination and self-expression without the fear of real-world consequences. 

For many players, The Sims becomes a form of digital journaling. They can explore different identities, design spaces that reflect their emotions, or construct dream scenarios they may not feel comfortable pursuing in real life. This freedom provides a release valve for stress and a platform to process feelings. 

Similarly, games with customization features; like decorating in Animal Crossing, character creation in role-playing games, or building in Minecraft-tap into the psychological benefits of art and play therapy. When players focus on creative tasks, their minds often enter a state of flow, a deeply calming mental zone associated with reduced anxiety and increased well-being. 

Stress Relief and Relaxation 

When you come home from work you are used to being told what to do and most times you might not enjoy doing the work. Or it becomes tedious or repetitive. 

Being able to have choices over what you do gives you satisfaction  

Many games help players unwind by offering low-stakes environments and soothing gameplay loops. This is where relaxation apps and mindfulness-focused games shine. Apps such as; 

• Calm- provides guided meditation, sleep stories, and breathing exercises 
• Headspace – teaches mindfulness through short, approachable sessions 
• Monument Valley – a beautifully designed puzzle game that engages the mind without overwhelming it 
• Flowing or Alto’s Odyssey – calming games with relaxing soundtracks and gentle mechanics 

There are several games that can be, or are, designed to help with mental health. 

There was a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine who dived into what games help with certain issues. 

Candy Crush, Angry Birds and other casual games can help with depressive moods. 

Portal 2 and Team fortress 2 and other RPGs can help with goal achievement and feeling accomplished. 

Portal 2, Mario Kart, Flappy Bird and other RPGs can help repair moods. 

These experiences help players slow down, focus on the present moment, and break cycles of stress. The interactive nature of games can make mindfulness feel more accessible to people who struggle with traditional practices like meditation. 

Even mainstream games can offer stress release. The repetitive, gentle activities in Animal Crossing; fishing, gardening, collecting-help regulate the nervous system by giving players predictable, calming tasks. This creates a sense of control and stability, both of which are important for managing anxiety. 

Building Resilience Through Play 

Games can also help build psychological resilience. Many titles include challenges that encourage problem-solving, patience, and growth. When players learn to cope with setbacks in a game; losing a match, failing a puzzle, or facing a difficult boss-they practice emotional regulation skills that transfer into everyday life. 

While humorous, these moments can help people practice flexibility and creative problem-solving. Similarly, games with narrative choices can help players explore empathy and perspective-taking by stepping into different roles and seeing the consequences of their decisions. 

A good example would be story based games where choices matter- Such as any Telltale Game or Detroit Become Human or Red Dead Redemption 2. Even though it is a game, it still makes you feel certain feelings. 

But in the end you could feel relief or understanding of what a certain feeling feels like so you can regulate in real life. Maybe at the end of Firewatch you’re left with a sense of longing, or at the end of Outer Wilds you’re rethinking your entire life. 

Or a game where maybe choices don’t matter but there’s still actions in the game that have emotional reactions.

In The Sims, players often deal with unexpected mishaps: a kitchen fire, a character’s bad mood, or a sudden job loss. 

In Elden Ring when you die, losing your loot or your save or you were close to winning a boss battle. 

A Sense of Accomplishment and Control 

Mental health struggles often come with feelings of helplessness or stagnation. Games counteract this by offering clear goals, instant feedback, and measurable progress. Completing a task-no matter how small; can provide a sense of accomplishment that boosts mood and motivation. 

In Animal Crossing, paying off a home loan or completing a collection provides predictable milestones that help players feel productive. In The Sims, mastering a skill or reaching a life goal provides the same sense of forward momentum. These experiences may seem virtual, but the psychological impact of achievement is real. 

Supporting Daily Well-Being 

Ultimately, video games are tools; and like any tool, their benefits depend on how they are used. When played mindfully and in moderation, many games and apps can provide: 

• Stress relief 
• Creative outlets 
• Social connection 
• Emotional processing 
• Cognitive engagement 
• Opportunities for rest and escape 

Whether someone relaxes by decorating a cozy cottage in Animal Crossing, designing a dream home in The Sims, or unwinding with a quiet meditation app, interactive digital experiences can play a valuable role in supporting mental well-being.