(Image via techradar.com)
Staff Writer: Aidan Danforth
Email: adanforth@umassd.edu
As a college student, I have a lot going on that greatly impacts my mental health, but gaming’s positive effects help balance my busy life by reducing stress.
I remember the first time I played my favorite video game, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” The game blew me away with its open world, collectibles like shrines and korok seeds, and the feeling of completing tasks. It’s a game that will always be special, as it improved my mental well-being.
Games like “Breath of the Wild” act as comfort games for me. They allow me to just sit back and play while taking in the incredible world. Although there are many online games that can do the opposite, finding those that are relaxing can reduce stress.
For most of my life, gaming has been an escape for me. It is something I can do every week to escape from my schedule and put myself in a world where I control what happens with the push of a button.
Life isn’t just about working. Humans are not robots, and they need something, like a hobby, to help them take a break from reality.
An opposing side, like PubMed Central, believes gaming can be a distraction as escaping real life can lead to escapism. In this case, gaming can be a distraction from tasks and results in outcomes like addiction.
On the other hand, “No matter what the game, there is always a task or quest system that allows you to be on top of things that can translate into your day-to-day life,” said Jessica Welsh, a Computer Science major and Corsair Esports team member.
Another benefit of gaming is the ability to wind down. On Fridays, I love going home and putting everything down, only to sit down and turn on the console for a few hours.
Picture this scenario. You’ve dealt with a long week. It could be because of a hard test at school, a challenging project at work, or the week didn’t go as expected. Letting all of that go by tapping into your favorite game allows you to settle down and better prepare you for the future.
Scientific Origin illustrates 15 benefits of gaming, one of which is therapeutic benefits for mental health. Gaming can assist those struggling with mental disorders and provide environments that allow people to relax and be positive.
Others may argue gaming creates the latter effect. Some games may end up causing more stress by increasing your blood pressure and causing frustration, whether it’s online or a boss or quest that seems impossible.
There are plenty of games that increase stress, and there are many that don’t. Most gamers have games they call their comfort games, games that they know well and can sit back and play after a long week to decrease stress.
Through the many years I’ve played video games, whether open-world, platforming, or online, I’ve recognized the many benefits they offer in my life. They act as an escape and a way to wind down, giving me a great balance to allow me to enjoy life fully.
Like anything, there are many times gaming creates the opposite effect. I can recall many times when I shut the console off in frustration after playing, leaving me with a sour feeling.
Times like these may make gamers ask why they play games. But not all games do that to me. Many video games offer many benefits that create an amazing sense of accomplishment or relaxation from playing them.