First Published: 13th March 2023, written by Olivia Doonan | Last Updated on 13th March 2023 | Reviewed and Edited by Chloe Safilo
Are you looking for an activity that can provide mental well being and physical benefits? Video games are increasingly becoming a popular tool to help bring about relaxation, satisfaction, and relief from anxiety. With the proper knowledge of what playing video games can provide, one can tap into many aspects of well-being with just a few spare minutes in their day spent gaming.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the highest-rated well-being video game titles out there and how they have been known to aid people’s physical health or emotional well-being. Read on to learn more about how gaming can become essential to your self-care lifestyle!
The Top List Of Video Games To Provide Physical Or Mental Wellness
Today, there are a lot of AAA projects in different genres that can provide important benefits to mental well being and physical health. Here are some of the highest-rated titles according to gaming communities:
- The Last of Us: Part 2. This action-adventure video game has been praised for its gripping story and captivating characters. It also encourages players to think about complex topics such as morality, relationships, and self-reflection. It can help gamers develop problem-solving skills and practice patience and resilience.
- Stardew Valley. This farming simulation RPG encourages players to establish relationships with villagers and build sustainable lifestyles. This video game is known for its calming soundtrack, art style, and relaxing activities like fishing, farming, and gathering resources. It has proven to help people create a sense of connection to nature and practice mindfulness.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The latest instalment in the long-running series continues to provide gamers with a pleasant and immersive virtual world. Animal Crossing can also boost players’ creativity, make them feel more connected to the natural environment, and encourage positive conversations among friends.
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Not only are these video games enjoyable, but they also offer real life psychological benefits. The combination of upbeat stories, positive relationships, and challenging puzzles can help you relax and recharge after a long day.
The Benefits Of Video Games For Mental And Physical Wellness
Video games can be beneficial for mental health and physical wellness in a variety of ways. For mental health and well being, playing video games can provide an escape from reality, allowing players to explore new worlds and experience different emotions through the characters they play as. This can help reduce stress levels and improve problem-solving skills. Physical wellness is another area where video games can be beneficial.
Active Video Games
Active video games also have proven benefits for physical activity, as they require more engagement than traditional gaming experiences. These physical activity video games are often designed to encourage movement or exercise while playing, for example: running, jumping and engaging with the controller.
Additionally, certain video games can create a mental challenge to be successful, which encourages cognitive thinking and mental stimulation.
Mental Health Video Games
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health issues that many people struggle with. Fortunately, certain mental health video games can help alleviate symptoms of both conditions.
For example, MindLight is a video game designed to help people deal with anxiety in children. It uses calming visuals and music to create a peaceful atmosphere while guiding players through visual puzzles and problem-solving activities.
On the flip side, there are also video games that can help alleviate symptoms of depression. The journey is one such example, where players take on the role of a lone traveller in search of a distant mountain. Throughout their time spent playing, they learn to explore and appreciate their surroundings as well as connect with other characters and discover hidden secrets.
Physical Activity Video Games
Recent advancements in technology have allowed for the creation of video games that are specifically designed to improve physical health. For example, PlayStation VR (PSVR) is a virtual reality headset that can be used to play physical activity games. These types of active video games are designed to encourage physical movement while playing, such as running and jumping, to progress in the game.
For those who don’t have access to PSVR headsets, many physical activity video games can be played on the PlayStation 4 console. These games include titles such as Just Dance, where players must follow characters’ movements on screen to dance and score points.
Closing Thoughts
Playing video games can certainly be beneficial for mental and physical health. They provide an escape from reality, allowing gamers to explore new worlds and experience different emotions. Additionally, certain video games are designed to encourage physical activity and problem-solving skills. Ultimately, with the right games, gaming can become a great way to promote self-care and positive well-being.
So if you’re looking for a new way to boost your mental and physical wellness, why not try out some of the top video games that can help with mental and physical wellness today?