Stress Relief Video games: FROM NOOB TO PRO

Stress relief video games combine escape from worries and feeling accomplished. Videogames are a big part of culture these days and can polarize. Some say that they are making kids more violent. Others praise the versatility of the stories and the escape from the stress of everyday life. Either way video games are here to stay. So what should you look for in stress relief video games?

In the following paragraphs, I talk about video games to deal with stress. First, is a brief history of video games. Next is a warning against violent video games, especially for kids. Then I will move on to how we can use video games for stress and not just to avoid responsibility. Finally, I will talk about games that my husband and I play to help manage stress and why they work. Each of the five games mentioned includes an affiliate link through Amazon. I will receive a commission if you decide to purchase through the links.

History

Arcades were the first video games that hit the scene over 40 years ago. I checked with my dad who was born in the 60’s about when he remembers arcades taking off. He said that he honestly doesn’t remember a time when there wasn’t an arcade in the mall. So it might be further back than just 40 years, but either way it’s been a really long time.

This turned into video game systems for the home. First, the Atari Video Computer System came out and remained super popular in the market for over 15 years. Next was the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985. During this time, home gaming systems became a normal thing for people to have. This lead to a culture divided by a love or hate of video games.

Studies in the past 20 years of so have looked into the dangers of playing violent video games. Recently, research says that these games can lead to desensitization to violence. All this means is that kids who play extremely violent games can end up numb to violence. It can also affect the child’s ability to show empathy and form healthy relationships.

Because of these concerns, parents should take these warnings and labels seriously. Game stores require your driver’s license for purchasing mature-rated games. If you need a license to buy the game, maybe kids shouldn’t be playing the game.

Violent video games may not fall into the stress relief category, but they continue to be popular. Check out my upcoming post, The Draw of Violence, that talks about reasons this might be the case. It is not only the genre of video games that determines if they relieve stress. But it also comes down to how you play.

Videogames for Stress Relief: Avoidance versus Escape

Problems come up when you do too much of anything. Eating too much leads to weight-gain and eventually risk for health problems. Restricting calories too much leads to being underweight which comes with health problems. Working too much leads to possible high blood pressure and maybe unhealthy coping that could be bad for your health.

Balance is the best way to go. Video games are no exception. They can be great for getting away from the stress of everyday life. But if you let yourself start to neglect responsibilities, it’s a problem. Avoidance is one of the unhealthy ways to deal with anxiety.

Avoidance is a short term solution to a bigger problem. By avoiding stress, you can feel relief for a moment. Often the anxiety you felt before avoiding the situation is still there and maybe even worse later. Just ripping off the Band-Aid is a better solution for anxiety. Stay tuned for my upcoming post on anxiety to learn more tips for managing this problem.

Escaping can be healthy if done right and in moderation. First, be on top of time management and make a plan when trying to play video games for stress relief. Falling into the trap of hiding in the world inside your console can have its own consequences.

Gaming can be a way to escape from the worries and thoughts that get overwhelming. Second, it takes discipline and self-control. That doesn’t mean playing games for hours and hours every day until you can’t remember what going outside feels like. Using video games the right way can be a break from the stress and worry of life.

If you get sucked into a game, it isn’t the end of the world. Making progress on not using video games to avoid life is more important than being perfect at this. For more information about the benefits of allowing yourself the grace to make mistakes and the problem with perfectionism, check out Progress Not Perfection.

Stress relieving Video Games

The best kinds of video games for stress relief are those that are rich in story, puzzles, or adventures. With these games, it comes down to preference. But I want to provide some information about games my husband and I play when overwhelmed. They help us come back to a healthy mind-space and feel less stressed.

StarDew Valley

Stardew Valley has so much going on. Role playing, adventure, storytelling, relationship building, and questing all included in one fun game. It’s definitely my new favorite game because of how all the parts are woven together.

You start out creating your character and find out that your grandfather left you a farm in his will. Then you come to Stardew Valley and start to build up the farm to its former glory. While growing and selling produce you get to explore the town and surrounding area.

When you talk with and give gifts to the residents, you form relationships. You can eventually become bestfriends or even get married to someone in town. On the other hand, I have heard you can make certain characters dislike you by giving them odd gifts. I honestly haven’t tried that yet but what a cool dynamic to include in relationship building. It makes the NPCs more real.

There are also events throughout the year themed around holidays in each season. The growable crops change each season which makes it new and exciting in each phase of the game. There are many other fun parts to this game, but I don’t want to spoil it. I highly recommend it as one of the best videogames for stress relief because it keeps you interested but isn’t overwhelming.

The game is available on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC, MacOS, XBox One, IOS, and Android. I play it on the Nintendo Switch, and here is a link to buy the game through Amazon https://amzn.to/2RloJDy.

The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild is an open world game filled with quests and rich with story. Even if you never played any of the classic Zelda games, this is a great starter game for the franchise. You play as Link, the hero of Hyrule. Zelda is the princess of the Kingdom of Hyrule, and you’re her champion. Link has lost his memory after being asleep for 100 years. So as you go through the game your memories come back.

While you quest around the world, you unlock armor and weapons. You also help the people in the villages and surrounding kingdoms get supplies or defeat monsters. This action-packed game is beautiful to look at and stays engaging. One of my favorite parts are the shrines throughout the game that are unlocked by completing puzzles.

It’s challenging but leaves you with a well-earned sense of accomplishment. As you go through the story and quests, you finally get the boss fight with Calamity Gannon. Gannon is the villain of the Zelda games and always up to no good. Just make sure you have everything you need to be ready to face him. If not it can get a little hairy.

Breath of the Wild is also a great option when looking into videogames for stress relief. This game is available on the Nintendo Switch and the Wii U. I played it on the Nintendo Switch, and here is a link to purchase the game on Amazon https://amzn.to/3fmfISS.

Wandersong

Wandersong is a relatively short game that takes you through a fantasy world as a bard. Bards are the characters in role playing games that tell the hero’s story through songs and poems. As you continue through the game, you use musical notes to complete quests and accomplish goals.

Usually in adventure games, you play as the hero. Playing as the bard is a unique perspective that reminds you of other ways to accomplish your goals. You don’s have to be fearless or have cat-like reflexes. It emphasizes using your talents to get through challenges. This character is more relatable than the classic hero. Usually the hero for adventure games is super OP by the time you get to the end of a game. Although, feeling all-powerful is nice from time to time. A bard depends on others and critical thinking to make it through.

By breaking the mold of the classic hero, this game offers a fresh outlook. With the super cute art style and rich story, it is definitely a great game to play. It is available on Mac, PC, and the Nintendo Switch. My husband played it on our Nintendo Switch, and here is the link to purchase the game through Amazon https://amzn.to/3eSIThg.

Animal Crossing New Horizons

Animal Crossing New Horizons sparks creativity through character and island creation. This game allows for tons of personalization. From the types of flowers and trees you plant to which residents you invite to live on your island. You can even decorate your island and home in whatever way you want.

You can interact with the residents, sell stuff, explore other islands, dig up fossils, and so much more. Everything changes with the seasons, keeping it fresh. There is also a catalogue with objectives to meet throughout the game giving you different rewards to work toward.

This game has so much potential for personalizing your island and character in any way you can think of. One of my favorite parts is visiting other players’ islands to trade items and get inspired. Some players have done amazing things with their space, and I love looking up pictures online too. The graphics are really cute and theme song is soothing which qualifies this as one of the best videogames for stress relief. It is available on the Nintendo Switch, and you can purchase the game through Amazon here https://amzn.to/3uRTsH7.

Pokemon Snap

Nintendo Snap was remade for the Nintendo Switch and released on April 30, 2021. This remake came with amazing graphics and so many Pokémon. The game starts with you choosing your character and naming yourself. Then you find yourself on an island with Professor Mirror and his Pokémon research team. Their research is all about capturing the Pokémon in photos and learning more about them.

You go to different areas taking pictures of the Pokémon that live there. Snap the best pictures of Pokémon while discovering new kinds as you go. The music and graphics are very soothing and well done. I highly recommend this game as another one of the best videogames for stress relief.

The game is only on the Nintendo Switch right now. But if you have a system or are thinking of getting one, this is a great game to look at. Here is a link to purchase it on Amazon https://amzn.to/3oxPHUZ.

Wrap Up

So that’s it, my two cents on some really great games for stress-relief. These are just the five that come to mind when I think of gaming as a coping skill. There are so many great games out there and so much to choose from. If you don’t like how these sound, look for games that give you a break from the real world.

Gaming for stress and anxiety doesn’t mean find the hardest game you can…shout out to Dark Souls. It means figuring out what you like and what can help you feel that tightness in your chest lift. It means that after a long day, you can look forward to a world that sparks your imagination.

I look for something with cute graphics and soothing music. The combination of these two things is a big sell for me on games. When I want to immerse myself in another world for self-care, these are the games that have worked best. When it comes to reducing stress, keeping things visually light can really help. In my own trials and errors, it surprised me how differently I felt when playing a game with darker graphics.

When I went back to the games listed, I felt much better. I felt able to face what comes my way. Coping skills and self-care is a part of your wellness journey that changes depending on the person. I can offer suggestions, but this may not be what works best for you.

Check out my recent post about Mindful Coloring for another stress-relief strategy. If you want to know more about what stress is and how it can be helpful check out Stressed for Success or Just Stressed Out. Stay tuned for more stress-relief ideas over the next month. I will be adding more content on this subject as we get into the summer.

I hope this helped to show how games can be a good stress-relief tool. Let me know in the comments below if you have any other favorite games to reduce stress. Feel free to comment with any questions or concerns too.

Simply,

Soberry