Mental health issues are coming out of the dark and being acknowledged as an important part of our world. Gaming has become a popular pastime for many people, but it’s also something that can trigger stress, anxiety, and depression in some individuals. With so much focus on the negative effects of gaming sometimes it’s easy to forget how much positive impact it can have on people too! Gaming is a great way to meet new people and make friends. It’s also a fun way to relieve stress while burning calories at the same time. It sounds like there are plenty of benefits if you do it right! Let’s take a look at how we can make gaming even more awesome for your mental health!
When you’re feeling stressed out or anxious, it can be easy to think that you “shouldn’t” be gaming. You may be feeling guilty for taking time for yourself when you “should” be doing other things. These feelings may come from a place of uncertainty about your mental health. You may not be sure if you have an anxiety disorder or a mild form of depression, and you’re worried about what that means for your own mental health. Gaming is a helpful outlet for many people, regardless of whether they have a mental health condition or not. For people with mental health issues, gaming can be a way to slowly introduce yourself to activities you may find helpful for your condition. You may feel anxious about trying new things, but you can slowly ease into gaming by taking your time and trying a few different games to see what feels right for you.
If you find that gaming is increasing your anxiety, or if you feel like you’ve been gaming too long, it’s okay to take a break. It’s particularly important to take care of yourself if you are playing games with other people online or if you are involved in esports. Gaming can be a great way to meet new people, but it can also be easy to forget about self-care in the process. If you notice yourself feeling stressed out, take a break. Try switching to a single player game, reading a book, or taking a walk outside. Remember to be gentle with yourself and don’t push yourself too hard. Remember that you don’t have to play games every day, or even every week, depending on what you enjoy! There are lots of different hobbies out there and gaming doesn’t have to be the only thing on your “to do” list!
If you’ve been playing the same game for years and it’s now triggering your mental health issues, it may be time to switch games. If you’re playing online games and you find that the experience is triggering your anxiety, it might be helpful to switch to single player. If you’re a hardcore gamer and you’re feeling anxious from competition and pressure, try switching to an easy or fun game. If you’re playing tennis for fun and you find yourself getting stressed out about your skill level, try switching to bowling. There are so many different games out there, and it can be helpful to try new things from time to time! It’s also helpful to try and diversify your gaming experience as much as possible. Don’t just play one game all the time! Try a variety of different games, and take breaks between them as well!
Online gaming is a popular pastime, but it can sometimes be triggering for people with social anxiety. Joining a guild can be a great way to make friends and support others, but it can sometimes be difficult to find the right group to join. Sometimes we end up joining a bad group where the members are toxic and trigger our anxiety. If you’re having a hard time finding the right group, consider finding a gaming buddy. Play with someone one-on-one, or even in small groups, rather than engaging with a large online community. This can be a way to ease into online gaming and make it a less stressful experience for you!
It’s important to take care of your body while gaming. Many people make the mistake of assuming that gaming is a sedentary activity, but that’s not always true. If you’re playing a sport-like game, you can burn up to 200 calories in an hour! That’s more than you’ll burn in a few minutes on a stationary bike! Make sure to take breaks, get lots of water, and exercise your muscles while you’re gaming. This can help you stay alert while gaming, reduce stress and anxiety, and prevent repetitive strain injuries. You can also try stretching and taking a break every hour or two to stretch out your muscles. This can help you stay healthy and feel better while gaming!
Gaming is a fun hobby that many people enjoy. It can be a great way to make friends and meet new people, or it can be a fun way to spend time with family or friends. It can also be a great way to relieve stress, especially when you play games that require you to be active. If you’re interested in gaming, don’t let the stigma around gaming and mental health keep you from trying it out. Remember that gaming is a form of escapism, and it’s not a bad thing to want to forget about the stress in your life and relax for a bit. It can be helpful for people with mental health issues, and it can even be a helpful form of treatment for some people!