Meditative Gaming For Mental Health
Reader's Digest UK|Reader's Digest April 2021
Jenessa Williams explores the surprising role that video games can play in managing our mental health
Jenessa Williams
Meditative Gaming For Mental Health

Nearly a year on, it is fair to say that the coronavirus pandemic has impacted us all. Stress, anxiety and isolation are all deeply understandable sensations in this age of uncertainty, and we all find different ways to get through it–TV, books, crafts or indeed, video games

While gaming might make you think of first-person shoot-em-ups or high-speed car racing, there is a softer side to video games too. From aeroplane flight simulators to virtual farming, players are taking more comfort than ever in meditative games of repetition and strategy, where game over is not an option so much as infinitely remodelling imaginary worlds. At their best, these video games can offer a real sense of immersion, and we’ve been drawn in our droves towards titles that offer simple, slow-paced gameplay, soothing in their lack of peril.

Whether you’re an experienced gamer or a technological novice, it’s never too late to try something new. Here, three gamers explain how their favourite meditative titles have helped them to manage times of grief, depression and isolation, turning their virtual worlds into a welcome escape.

HAVING EXPERIENCED SEVERAL close family losses, Kevin finds Football Manager to be a nostalgic, soothing way to manage his grief.

“I was staying overnight at a friend's house when I first experienced the game that would become Football Manager. My friend’s parents had bought him a PC to help him with his schoolwork, and Championship Manager 2 was the only two-player game he had. Even though it took the best part of an hour to load a new game, we were always happy to wait.

Denne historien er fra Reader's Digest April 2021-utgaven av Reader's Digest UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra Reader's Digest April 2021-utgaven av Reader's Digest UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA READER'S DIGEST UKSe alt
EVERY SECOND COUNTS: TIPS TO WIN THE RACE AGAINST TIME
Reader's Digest UK

EVERY SECOND COUNTS: TIPS TO WIN THE RACE AGAINST TIME

Do you want to save 1.5 seconds every day of your life? According to the dishwasher expert at the consumer organisation Choice, there’s no need to insert the dishwashing tablet into the compartment inside the door.

time-read
3 mins  |
Reader's Digest May 2024
May Fiction
Reader's Digest UK

May Fiction

An escaped slave's perspective renews Huckleberry Finn and the seconds tick down to nuclear Armageddon in Miriam Sallon’s top literary picks this month

time-read
1 min  |
Reader's Digest May 2024
Wine Not
Reader's Digest UK

Wine Not

In a time of warning studies about alcohol consumption, Paola Westbeek looks at non-alcoholic wines, how they taste and if they pair with food

time-read
3 mins  |
Reader's Digest May 2024
Train Booking Hacks
Reader's Digest UK

Train Booking Hacks

With the cost of train travel seemingly always rising, Andy Webb gives some tips to save on ticket prices

time-read
4 mins  |
Reader's Digest May 2024
JOURNEY TO SALTEN, NORWAY, UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN
Reader's Digest UK

JOURNEY TO SALTEN, NORWAY, UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN

Here, far from the crowds, in opal clarity, from May to September, the sun knows no rest. As soon as it’s about to set, it rises again

time-read
8 mins  |
Reader's Digest May 2024
My Britain: Cheltenham
Reader's Digest UK

My Britain: Cheltenham

A YEAR IN CHELTENHAM sees a jazz festival, a science festival, a classical music festival and a literature festival. Few towns with 120,000 residents can boast such a huge cultural output!

time-read
6 mins  |
Reader's Digest May 2024
GET A GREEN(ER) THUMB
Reader's Digest UK

GET A GREEN(ER) THUMB

Whether you love digging in the dirt, planting seeds and reaping the bounty that bursts forth, or find the whole idea of gardening intimidating, this spring offers the promise of a fresh start.

time-read
6 mins  |
Reader's Digest May 2024
Under The GRANDFLUENCE Suzi Grant
Reader's Digest UK

Under The GRANDFLUENCE Suzi Grant

After working in TV and radio as an author and nutritionist, Suzi Grant started a blog alternativeageing.net) and an Instagram account alternativeageing). She talks to Ian Chaddock about positive ageing”

time-read
3 mins  |
Reader's Digest May 2024
Sam Quek: If I Ruled The World
Reader's Digest UK

Sam Quek: If I Ruled The World

Sam Quek MBE is an Olympic gold medalwinning hockey player, team captain on A Question of Sport and host of podcast series Amazing Starts Here

time-read
3 mins  |
Reader's Digest May 2024
Stand Tall, Ladies
Reader's Digest UK

Stand Tall, Ladies

Shorter men may be having their moment, but where are the tall women?

time-read
3 mins  |
Reader's Digest May 2024