Video Games & Wellness
For many, wellness isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when talking about video games, but there are an increasing number of therapeutic techniques using them. Research has found that many players report games help them reduce stress levels and connect with peers, while clinicians are finding that certain games can help clients develop coping mechanisms, resilience, and self-worth.
Modern video games cover a wide swath of gameplay. While some turn to video games for competition or to be challenged, others play games in order to experience a story or to decompress after a long day. And like other forms of entertainment, games cover a range of motives and emotions.
A study conducted by the Boston University (BU) College of Communication found gaming can help with stress management and emotional regulation. The study surveyed nearly 350 students across undergraduate and graduates and found that 64% of respondents used games as a method of coping with stress.
Even difficult games can prove to be rewarding cognitively, BU PhD candidate Tiernan Cahill found, citing perseverance and empowerment as outcomes of internalized experiences for gamers.
“I think that the big takeaway is to really try and push back on treating video games as a monolith in terms of their psychological effects,” Cahill said in reference to the study. “The important thing to look at is how people are playing.”
Multiple studies have even found that video games can result in enhancement to cognitive function. Research conducted by scientists as the University of Vermont, Burlington found that MRI brain imaging showed higher activity in areas associated with attention and memory in subjects who played video games than those who didn’t.
Used mindfully and in moderation, video games can be an effective tactic for personal wellness practices. If this appeals to you, we encourage you to speak with your mental health professional to make a treatment plan and balancing time spent gaming with physical activity. Every game and player are unique, so we recommend paying attention to what games benefit your mental health the best. WebMD’s guide to mental health benefits in gaming also suggest setting time limits, playing with friends, and looking for games that require strategic thinking.
For future insights on particular games follow ColumbiaCare on Instagram and Facebook: bit.ly/m/columbiacare
For more information on video games and mental health we recommend the following articles:
https://www.bu.edu/articles/2026/are-video-games-bad/
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/03/teen-video-gaming-benefits-downsides
https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/amp-a0034857.pdf
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-benefits-of-video-games