Can Video Games Be a Healthy Outlet for Stress Relief?

The greatest power of games is that you can explore this landscape of different agencies. The greatest danger of games is that you can get sucked into this experience of just craving and wanting to be in a clear, crisp and gentle universe where you know exactly what to do and exactly how well it’s measured.

C. THI NGUYEN: I n games, for once in your life, you know exactly what you’re doing and you know exactly that you can do it. And then you have just the right amount of ability to do it. It’s a feeling of concentrated, crystallized action. For me, solving puzzles, or balancing over in a rock climb, or seeing a trap ahead in chess, this is ecstasy. A... See more

If you have anxiety – play small, focused, single-player games like Tetris

An hour of gaming at 100% attention > an hour of passively watching TV. Many games are also social, with multiplayer mechanics built into the core design. The most memorable stories are the ones we create and share with those who are close to us.

Playing videogames helps to make kids resilient – they know they have another chance and will try again

Stress relief is a major driver. * 77% of Gen Z gamers say their biggest motive for gaming is to relieve stress and anxiety.

C. THI NGUYEN: But I think the most important thing about games is the way they manipulate our agency. The way we enter into this alternate self. And that’s I think where you can see the greatest power of games and their greatest danger. The greatest power of games is that you can explore this landscape of different agencies. The greatest danger of... See more