Gaming for Mental Health

  : Have you ever caught yourself grinding through yet another daily challenge in your favorite game, not because it brings you joy, but because a notification told you to? We make intentional choices throughout our day—what we eat, how we move, even how we set our mood—so why doesn’t that same intention apply to gaming? If we asked ourselves one simple question before every gaming session—“What do I need today?”—our relationship with gaming could transform from a task into a tool that genuinely nourishes us emotionally and, yes, even financially. I learned this the hard way during a particularly frustrating gaming slump. I found myself automatically booting up a battle-pass grind in a popular shooter every evening, not for enjoyment, but out of habit. The rush that once came from leveling up had long dissipated. Instead, I felt drained—broken out of real-world momentum and stuck in a void of incomplete challenges. It wasn’t until I paused and asked myself what I was actually se...

In recent years, conversations around video games and mental health have become more nuanced. While the popular narrative often focuses on the negative effects of gaming, emerging research suggests a different story. A comprehensive study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology explores the positive psychological effects of video games through the lens of Seligman’s PERMA model—Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment—and how gaming can contribute to mental flourishing. Understanding these findings challenges the notion that video games are merely a distraction and reveals how they can be a tool for emotional and psychological well-being. Understanding the PERMA Model and Its Connection to Gaming The PERMA model, developed by psychologist Martin Seligman, outlines five key components essential for psychological well-being. This model is used to frame the study’s argument that video games can foster a sense of emotional resilience and satis...

In gaming, as in life, the importance of rest is often overlooked. Many players believe that the only way to improve is by grinding endlessly—repeating levels, practicing mechanics, and pushing through fatigue. I used to think the same way, convinced that the key to mastering my favorite games was to put in as many hours as possible, no matter how exhausted I felt. Over time, though, I discovered that true growth, both in gaming and in mental performance, happens during periods of rest, not during the stress itself. Why Rest Matters in Gaming Every gamer knows the feeling of hitting a wall. You’ve spent hours trying to perfect a tricky boss fight or improve your performance in a competitive match, but the more you play, the worse you seem to get. Your reactions slow, your decision-making falters, and frustration begins to build. In those moments, it’s tempting to double down and keep grinding. But what if the real solution is to step away? Rest is when your body and mind recover from t...