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Video Games and Mental Health: What to Know

Video Games and Mental Health: What to Know

Mental Health

Video games have come a long way. From the shopping mall arcades, to simple machines that connect to televisions, to immersive multiplayer games played on dedicated consoles and gaming PCs, they’ve evolved from niche hobbies into a central part of global culture. With millions of players engaging daily, gaming is no longer a fringe activity but a mainstream pastime for people of all ages, which brings us to video games and mental health.

As video games continue to grow in popularity, it’s important to examine their impact on mental health. Are they simply a form of entertainment, or do they carry deeper psychological effects? This blog aims to explore the complex relationship between gaming and mental well-being, highlighting both its positive and negative impacts.

Video Games and Mental Health: Positive Impacts

Stress Relief and Relaxation

For many, video games serve as an outlet for stress. After a demanding day at school or work, diving into a virtual world can offer much-needed escapism. Immersive gameplay can distract from real-life pressures, helping players unwind and recharge emotionally.

Social Connection

The stereotype is that gaming is isolating. Perhaps that used to be the case, but no longer. Far from isolating, many games today are inherently social. Multiplayer platforms like Fortnite, Minecraft, or even cooperative role-playing games provide a space for interaction, collaboration, and friendship-building. For individuals who struggle with social anxiety or live in isolation, these virtual communities can offer truly meaningful connection.

Cognitive and Emotional Benefits

Are video games good for your brain? It’s a common question, and one worth answering. Engaging with challenging games can boost cognitive skills like problem-solving, memory, and decision-making. Additionally, some games encourage emotional resilience by placing players in high-pressure scenarios that require calm thinking and adaptability. Over time, these experiences can strengthen one’s ability to manage stress and frustration.

Therapeutic Applications

Mental health professionals are increasingly incorporating video games into therapy. Games designed to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD are proving effective in helping patients process trauma or learn coping strategies in a safe, controlled environment. Virtual reality (VR) games, in particular, are showing promise for exposure therapy and mindfulness exercises. So, are video games good for your brain? And, by extension, are they good for your mental health? To some degree, yes.

Video Games and Mental Health: Negative Impacts

Addiction and Overuse

Addiction and overuse aren’t just about drugs and alcohol. While many people game in moderation, some may struggle with gaming addiction. The World Health Organization actually recognizes “gaming disorder” as a condition, where excessive play interferes with daily functioning—impacting school, work, relationships, and overall well-being.

Sleep Disruption

It can be hard to know when to stop the fun. Late-night gaming sessions are common among gamers of all ages, and they can significantly disrupt healthy sleep patterns. The blue light from screens and the stimulation of gameplay can delay sleep onset, reduce sleep quality, and contribute to fatigue, irritability, or difficulty concentrating during the day.

Social Withdrawal

While online interactions can foster connection, as already mentioned, excessive gaming may lead to isolation from real-world relationships. Players who spend too much time in virtual environments may neglect family, friends, or social obligations, which can exacerbate feelings of loneliness or depression.

Aggression or Increased Anxiety

The potential negative effects of video games are more varied than one might think. Certain genres—especially violent or fast-paced games—may trigger heightened anxiety or even aggressive behavior in some individuals. While not universally experienced, the intense stimulation (and simulation) from these games can negatively affect a person’s mood and stress levels, especially in younger or more vulnerable players.

Finding a Healthy Balance

Manage Screen Time

All things in moderation, right? Set daily or weekly limits for yourself or the person in question to ensure that gaming doesn’t dominate a healthy routine. For young adults, timers or parental controls are an ideal way to encourage balance.

Take Breaks and Stay Active

A sports academy in Ohio has an esports team. Part of the training involves regular physical activity: real-world strength and skills training. It’s not just about overall health; it sharpens reflexes and increases stamina, needed for high-level competition. But for the typical gamer, all you need to do is incorporate regular breaks and engage in physical activity. This will reduce screen fatigue and support physical health. Even short walks or stretching between sessions can make a big difference.

Choose Positive Content

This bit of advice isn’t just for young adults. Immersing oneself in negative content can potentially affect people of any age. In terms of cultural worries about the negative effects of video games, this is one that’s been widely and robustly discussed. So encourage and opt for games that promote creativity, cooperation, or learning. Games with inclusive communities and non-violent themes can provide joy without harmful side effects.

Seek Help When Needed

If gaming begins to interfere with responsibilities, relationships, or the mental health of you or someone you care about, don’t hesitate to seek professional support. Therapists and counselors can help address underlying issues and establish healthier habits.

Video Games and Mental Health: The Next Step

Humans have been playing games for a very long time. They’re fun, after all. In the 1980s, immersive tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons were known to keep many a college student up far too late. Video games, like all games, are neither wholly good nor inherently bad. Their impact depends largely on how they’re used. While video gaming offers potential benefits like stress relief, social connection, and cognitive engagement, it also carries risks such as addiction, sleep disruption, and emotional strain.By practicing moderation and mindfulness, people can enjoy gaming as a source of entertainment and personal growth without compromising their mental health. At ABH Maryland, we’re committed to helping people find this balance, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives—both on and off the screen.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.