Online gaming has unfairly garnered many negative connotations. Yet done in moderation, it can be a great way to relax and reduce stress. How can it be used as a tool for positivity, and how do you know when it becomes a hindrance rather than a help?
On the surface, gaming may seem like a stressful endeavour. Watch any eSports event involving first-person shooting games, as noises ring out, music blares and people talk through headsets to understand this. Yet the truth is that many people do not game competitively. Instead, they do it to relax. There is also a range of games to choose from, with varying levels of intensity. These can range from open-world immersive experiences to puzzle games and even casino titles, allowing you to use gaming as a tool for relaxation.
Exploring the Psychological Impact of Gaming on Stress Levels
A recent study by the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that open-world games, in particular, can help with relaxation. Conducted on postgraduate students, it discovered that games reduced stress levels and enhanced relaxation after gaming. They did this by allowing players to disconnect their minds from daily stressors.
Other studies have shown that even casual mobile games can have the same impact. A study by the University of Bath in the UK, published in JMIR Mental Health, provided participants with a 15-minute math test and then asked them to play a mindfulness app or a shape-fitting game. Other participants were given a fidget spinner toy. Those who did the shape-fitting game reported feeling more relaxed and energized. Those who did fidget spinners and mindfulness reported the opposite, suggesting that casual games can improve mental health and well-being just as well as bigger console titles.
How Online Casino Games Can Serve as Relaxation Tools
Online casino games are often associated with the shadow of gambling addiction and problems. Yet while this is a risk, most people play online casino games without any problematic behaviour. This is often measured using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. It involves a series of questions given to participants about the risk and reward of gambling, with people gaining a score out of 27 at the end. The higher the score, the more at risk a person is. Around 87% of people who take part score a zero.
Thus, the majority of people use online casino games as a way to unwind without any problems. Mainly, the joy they feel comes from the release of endorphins. This can happen when people win games, even in the smallest of amounts. However, it can also come from allowing the mind to unhook itself from daily worries for a short time, mainly those emanating from work and home life. Bonusfinder Canada’s selection of operators provide a wide range of games along with healthy bonuses. This lets you try new titles out without having to use a large chunk of your bankroll.
Tips for Using Gaming as a Healthy Coping Mechanism
When using gaming as a coping mechanism, the player needs to tread a little more carefully. The joy of games is that they let you shut off from life. However, this can also be their greatest downfall, allowing people to ignore problems and issues that need addressing.
A coping strategy is a device that people use to handle stress or trauma. Coping mechanisms can be positive and negative. For example, talking to friends and going for a walk may be healthy. Not so good ones are substance abuse and, of course, problem gambling.
Gaming works as a coping mechanism, but it is important to know the signs of it becoming too much. Should a player struggle to stop playing, at the detriment of other elements in their life, it is an issue. This can include neglecting responsibilities like work, family, friends and personal health in favour of gaming. This can even manifest in physical health deterioration, such as headaches and insomnia.
Balancing Gaming with Other Wellness Practices
Like any practice, gaming needs to be done in moderation and as part of a routine, integrated with other wellness practices. This means setting time limits on your gaming. Make sure you have a start and end time for these pursuits. It is too easy to get into a game and suddenly find the hours have flown by. When this happens repeatedly, it becomes a problem.
It should also never be at the expense of other wellness practices. Don’t cancel your yoga and pilates sessions because you want to game. Most vital is that it should never be at the expense of sleep. This is both a wellness practice and something your body needs to prepare and heal. Make sure you are getting at least 8 hours a day and never let this cut into your sleep time. You should also never game in bed, as it can create a stimulus that may impact sleep.
Gaming can be used for the purposes of mental health. It involves finding the type of game that lets you escape. This could be a social game of poker, or immersing yourself in an open-world console title. Once you have this, you need to place restrictions on yourself, including time limits. By doing so, you will find that gaming is a useful tool that is both enjoyable and good for your mental health.