South Devon Healthcare Library and Knowledge Service’s Post

Why Snowy Video Games Can Be Good for Mental Health? ❄️🎮 Did you know that video games can be more than just entertainment? They can offer real benefits for mental health, especially when paired with calming, wintery settings. 💡 🕹️ How Video Games Help: Video games are not just a fun distraction - they can also help with managing stress and emotions. Immersive gameplay and serene environments can provide a meditative experience, helping players focus on the present moment and giving them a break from the chaos of everyday life. 🎮☃️ Why Snowy Games Work: - There’s something special about snowy landscapes in video games: - Soothing Atmosphere: Snowy environments often create a calm, reflective space that mimics mindfulness techniques. - Focused Gameplay: Strategy and stealth games, like Metro Exodus, help quiet a restless mind by requiring concentration. - Emotional Escape: Immersing yourself in a wintry world can provide a much-needed mental reset, allowing players to recharge. 🧠 3 Practical Tips to Use Games for Mental Health: 1️⃣ Pick the right game for your mood: Look for games with immersive worlds, like Pillars of Eternity for strategy or Days Gone for exploration in beautiful, snowy landscapes. 2️⃣ Pay attention to how the game makes you feel: Notice whether the game helps you calm down, process emotions, or gives you a safe escape. 3️⃣ Experiment with wintery settings: Snowy worlds have a uniquely calming effect, providing a peaceful atmosphere to relax and unwind. 🔑 Takeaway: Video games can be a great tool for mental health. The right game at the right time can provide relaxation, focus, and emotional healing. Whether you’re looking to relax or process your emotions, snowy virtual worlds can offer a much-needed escape. What are your favorite games for relaxation? Let’s chat in the comments! 👇 #mentalhealth #videogames #wintergames #wellbeing #mindfulness #snowyworlds #gamingtherapy #gamingforrelaxation #stressrelief #mindfulgaming #okamigamesstudio

👀 Big things are coming in January! What is emotional intelligence, and why does it matter? It’s the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions—essential for: ✅ Building friendships ✅ Coping with challenges ✅ Achieving long-term success We're launching a brand-new game to help children explore their emotions and build resilience. Stay tuned for more! 💡 #DigitalEducation #Emotions #GameLaunch #Gaming

290 participant study shows a tuned video game greatly reduces stress and worry. As the political environment boils over again, experts haggle over impending economic doom and we face another summer of extreme temperatures stress levels continue to rise for us all. Yet another great study, highlighted in this University of California article, shows the RIGHT video game flow state is capable of shutting down rumination and considerably reducing our stress. “Video games are one of the best ways to get into flow,” said Kate Sweeny, professor of psychology at UC Riverside. “We know from lots of research that flow is most likely to occur if we do something that's hard, that's engaging…” Here’s the recipe for a good flow activity: (1) It has clear goals. (2) It challenges you the right amount (vital). (3) It gives you immediate, unambiguous feedback on how you’re doing. You can see how many video games match this description. The key is to find yours. If motion and high levels of distraction are included expect even greater calming effects. #mentalhealth #videogames #vr #stress #powerofplay Article Link: https://lnkd.in/gRGjbh3v

You can start a side-quest this weekend using video games for your mental health! Here's why it's a great idea for I.T. folks to use video games to reset and recharge. 🎮🧠Why Video Games for IT Professionals' Mental Health?🧠🎮 Mindfulness and Flow: The immersive nature of gaming can promote a state of flow, allowing you to be fully present and focused, which can enhance overall mental clarity and reduce anxiety. Creative Engagement:  Games often involve unique mechanics and storytelling techniques. Engaging with these elements can inspire and feed your own creativity. Cognitive Engagement and Autonomy: A good game requires some focus (vs. zoning out), keeping your mind engaged while offering a sense of achievement doing things that YOU want to do - something your work tasks might not offer you regularly. Social Connections: Online gaming communities can foster friendships and support networks that combat feelings of isolation often experienced in the tech industry. Resilience and Adaptability: Games often involve overcoming challenges and learning from setbacks, instilling a sense of resilience and hope that can be beneficial both personally and professionally. What other benefits can you imagine? What games help you unwind and recharge? Share your favorites below! 🎮✨ #MentalHealth #ITProfessionals #VideoGames #WellBeing #Community #StressRelief

🌟 Level Up Your Mind! 🎮🧠 As we navigate through life, maintaining cognitive function and comprehension becomes increasingly important. Did you know that playing video games can be a powerful tool in keeping our minds sharp as we age? Research has shown that video games can enhance various cognitive skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and spatial awareness. Engaging in games requires us to strategize, adapt quickly to changing scenarios, and think on our feet—all of which can lead to improved mental agility. Here are a few ways video games can benefit our comprehension and cognitive health: 1. **Enhanced Memory:** Many games require players to remember complex storylines, character details, and gameplay mechanics, which can boost our memory retention. 2. **Improved Focus:** The immersive nature of video games helps train our attention span and focus, skills that are essential in everyday life. 3. **Social Connections:** Multiplayer games foster social interaction, encouraging teamwork and communication, which are vital for mental well-being. 4. **Stress Relief:** Gaming can be an excellent way to unwind, reducing stress and promoting relaxation, which in turn supports cognitive health. So, whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to the scene, consider incorporating video games into your routine. Not only can they be a fun escape, but they also offer a fantastic way to keep your mind active and engaged as you age! 🌟 #Gaming #CognitiveHealth #LifelongLearning #MentalAgility #Wellness

Think gaming is just for fun? Think again! 🎮 Discover how gaming is transforming lives for autistic individuals. In our latest blog post, we take a look at the incredible therapeutic benefits of gaming for autistic individuals. From boosting cognitive skills and enhancing social interaction to supporting emotional regulation, discover how both video and tabletop games are making a real difference in the lives of our participants. Ready to learn more? Head over to our blog and explore how gaming is more than just a hobby – it’s a powerful tool for growth and well-being. . 👉 READ IT HERE: https://loom.ly/IJgWIkQ . . #autism #autismsupport #neurodiverse #gamingtherapy #therapeuticgaming #gamingcommunity #videogames #tabletopgames #autismawareness #autistic #mentalhealth #cognitivedevelopment #autismcommunity #ignitiongamers

Researchers from Imperial College London and the University of Graz have studied the mental health benefits of open-world games. These games, like Minecraft, Skyrim, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Zelda, offer vast, detailed environments where players can explore freely, pursue side quests, or simply relax at their own pace. The study explored how open-world games affect well-being by interviewing postgraduate gamers and analyzing data. Players shared that "cognitive escapism" in immersive games helps them relax and escape stress, improving mood. Data confirmed a link between this escapism and better mental health. Researchers concluded that open-world games offer emotional relief and mental benefits. They suggest future studies could use physiological measures for deeper insights. #MentalHealth #GamingBenefits #OpenWorldGames #CognitiveEscapism #RelaxAndPlay #WellBeing #MentalHealthMatters #GamingResearch #businessdor

Open-World Video Games Boost Relaxation and Mental Well-Being Open-world video games like Zelda aren't just fun—they reduce stress and boost mental health, a study finds. Immersive gaming offers cognitive escapism, helping players relax and improve well-being.

In the realm of video games and the metaverse, the appearance of your avatar can have a significant impact on your emotions, behaviors, and overall satisfaction. Research in this field has shed light on the importance of customizing avatars to enhance well-being, confidence, and engagement.

Who you represent yourself to be can shape who you are and how you feel. A part of video games I love is character creation and self representation. We are understanding more and more that online avatar creation has the power to boost self esteem, enhance self perception and challenge stereotypes. Specifically the appearance of your avatar can have a significant impact on your emotions, behaviors, and overall satisfaction. This short article presents research that highlights the importance of customizing avatars to enhance well-being, confidence, and engagement. #mentalhealth #videogames #powerofplay #selfesteem #stressreduction #anxietyrelief #depressionhelp