Are you looking for a way to de-stress that feels both engaging and soothing? My therapist once told me that mindless activities are helpful, but mindful ones are just as powerful. Video games, surprisingly, can be both. While I don’t consider myself a die-hard gamer, I do know which games help ease my stress and soothe my nervous system.
When you play video games, you disconnect from real-life stressors while still actively engaging your brain. As Patel (2020) notes, video games improve problem-solving skills and reasoning abilities. That means they aren’t just a distraction, they can be a tool for wellness.
For me, the best games double as a safe space while also inviting my inner child to come out and play. Think: cozy visuals, gentle sounds, and open-ended adventures. Some of my personal favorites include Unpacking, Animal Crossing, Webkinz, Pokemon Go, Minecraft, and Stardew Valley.
These games offer exploration and customization, allowing for self-expression, freedom, and calm. Puzzle games like Solitaire, Tetris, and Scrabble also create focused engagement, helping take the edge off anxiety and intrusive thoughts.
Video Games & Mental Health: The Therapeutic Power of Play
Play is something we often abandon after childhood, yet our inner child continues to long for it. When we ignore that need, we risk becoming disconnected from joy, curiosity, and emotional release. According to Eugene Therapy (2023), connecting with our inner child helps us access healing, joy, and compassion.
Introducing play into our daily routine (especially through video games) can be an empowering way to reconnect with that forgotten part of ourselves. In my own life, playing Animal Crossing has been a joyful escape and, at times, even life-saving. Its soft colors, soothing music, and gentle gameplay offer a sense of peace that makes room for both play and self-expression.
During the height of the pandemic, Animal Crossing: New Horizons became a global comfort, even being recognized by therapists for its ability to foster creativity and imagination (Landrum, 2020). It served as a reminder that games can be more than entertainment—they can be healing spaces.
Video Games Are More Than Just An Escape
Video games can offer real, therapeutic value. Research has shown that Tetris, when played shortly after a traumatic event, can reduce PTSD symptoms by redirecting the brain’s focus in a way that weakens how traumatic memories are stored (Oxford, 2017). This effect mirrors the principles behind EMDR therapy, demonstrating that even simple puzzle games can offer healing potential.
Other games like Unpacking encourage gentle introspection as players explore someone’s life through the items they unpack. The quiet, narrative-rich experience invites self-reflection while offering emotional distance and calm.
Titles like Stardew Valley, Minecraft, and Animal Crossing combine creative control, gentle pacing, and routine-based tasks to provide both structure and freedom, perfect for those seeking a sense of agency or grounding.
Pokemon Go adds a physical dimension to therapeutic play, bridging virtual adventure with real-world exploration. It encourages movement, environmental engagement, and community interaction, and can be powerful tools for those struggling with isolation or stagnation.
These games also support inner child healing, a practice shown to increase self-awareness, resilience, and emotional integration (Parks, 2019). When we engage in play that allows for freedom, safety, and creativity, we nourish forgotten parts of ourselves and reinforce positive coping tools.
Healing Game Suggestions: Games That Noursih Your Inner World
- Unpacking – A meditative puzzle game where you explore someone’s life through unpacking boxes. Offers soothing visuals, gentle sound design, and space for reflection. (Available on many platforms)
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons – A cozy, life-simulation game where you design your island, build relationships, and follow the seasons. Grounding and deeply customizable. (Nintendo platforms)
- Webkinz – A nostalgic, virtual pet game that invites care, creativity, and play. Great for reconnecting with your inner child. (Free online)
- Pokemon Go – Encourages outdoor movement and community engagement through location-based gameplay. Boosts mindfulness and real-world connection. (Free, iOS & Android)
- Minecraft – A sandbox game for building, exploring, and surviving at your own pace. Encourages creativity, teamwork, and cognitive planning. (Multi-platform)
- Stardew Valley – Combines farming, relationships, and questing in a heartwarming story-driven world. Encourages mindfulness, progression, and creativity. (Multi-platform)
- Tetris, 2048, Solitaire, and Scrabble – Classic puzzle games that stimulate the brain while quieting intrusive thoughts. Ideal for reducing anxiety and improving focus. (Mostly free on mobile and web)
Whether you’re seeking soothing repetition, structured creativity, or the freedom to explore, these games can act as powerful companions on your wellness journey.
How Video Games and Mental Health Show Up in Sessions
I am always working with all of my clients, to some capacity, on introducing more play into their lives.
Across the board, I see how easy it is for adults to become stuck in a constant loop of work, productivity, and chores.
Just moving from one task to the next without ever pausing to rest or enjoy something just for the sake of enjoyment, over time, becomes an exhausting pattern. And most importantly, it becomes unsustainable, especially when it comes to mental health.
We need joy, play, and creativity in order to feel whole. These aren’t luxuries, they’re essential to emotional regulation, connection, and self-discovery. In my work, I actively explore with clients how to reintroduce play in ways that feel accessible and meaningful to them.
That might look like rediscovering a childhood hobby, making space for creative expression through art, experimenting with calming video games, or engaging in collaborative activities like board games or escape rooms.
These seemingly small shifts often open up powerful opportunities for clients to reconnect with themselves, build in rest, and experience moments of joy—without needing to earn them first.
Final Thoughts
Video games aren’t just a hobby, they can be a form of therapy. Whether you’re diving into a calming world or simply playing to quiet anxious thoughts, these digital landscapes can provide a safe and healing space. When we engage with games that feel nourishing, playful, and empowering, we give ourselves the gift of connection: to our minds, our creativity, and our inner child.
Let’s embark on this journey together. Ready to rediscover a less stress with a community who just gets it? Check out our groups.
More About the Author
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Meet the Founder
Jenn is the amazing founder behind Thrive Ahead Co. and is a licensed clinical professional counselor. Currently, she is accepting clients for her career counseling services. Jenn is an active guide for her clients, is involved, approachable and attentive.
“You can bet that in a tough session, we’ll still find ways to connect with humor as I truly believe when used well it’s one of the most integrating skills we can have, to know and hold this lightness at the same time as the seriousness and even pain that life brings us.” Schedule A Consultation Call Today Here
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