Playing games shouldn’t end just because you grow up. Sure, nothing beats the fun and innocence of classic childhood games, but there are some pretty friggin cool games out there that are perfect for adults. As it turns out, a lot of those games aren’t only a fun way to pass the time, but they’re also good for your mental health.
From board games to video games, there are a ton of games and activities that benefit you physically and mentally. But not all games offer the mental health benefits we’re talking about. So, today we’re sharing a round-up of mental health games you’ll want to try.
What Are Mental Health Games?
Mental health games stand out among traditional games because of their emphasis on mental and emotional concerns. These unique games encourage you to be more mindful and typically require you to use skills that simultaneously benefit your mental health.
Mental health games are one of the best (and most fun) ways to improve your mental health and relieve stress. Basically, there are a ton of benefits to playing mental health games! Want to know what they are? Here’s the DL:
What Are The Health Benefits of Playing Games?
- Mental stimulation
- Relaxation
- Mindfulness
- Stress management
- Entertainment
- Social development
- Emotional regulation
- Problem-solving
- Overall well-being improvement
For more ways to take care of your mental health, check out these podcast episodes:
- Feeling Burnt Out? How to Recharge and Reset from Real Pod
- How Can I Care For My Mental Health from Dear Gabby
- How to Master Emotions, Manage Stress & Anxiety, & Get Unstuck from Him & Her
- Wellness Check! Health Updates, Life Hacks, Combatting Stress & More from The Blonde Files
10 Mental Health Games For Adults
Head Rush
Head Rush might be your new favorite way to practice mindfulness. This one is at the top of our list of mental health games because it’s a fun way to improve confidence and open communication, no matter who you play it with. With little time to think, you’ll learn more about yourself and the people you play with. It’s like a game and therapy all rolled into one!
Canvas
For a super cozy and relaxing game that is doubly visually appealing, look no further than Canvas. It provides just enough competition to be fun without being stressful. Your goal is to make the most stunning artwork by following the rules of the game and layering transparent cards on top of each other. Sure, you’re playing against other players, but there’s so little pressure that you can play at your own pace and enjoy creating new artwork time and time again.
My Shelfie
What happens when you combine a love of organization with a passion for playing games? A game like My Shelfie is born. My Shelfie is an organization-themed board game centered around arranging items on a bookshelf. Talk about SO satisfying!
Each player competes with the others to grab items from the shared living room board and put them on their own shelves, according to the rules, to accomplish their goals. It’s hard to beat the satisfaction you get from organizing the perfect bookshelf; it’ll do wonders for your mental well-being.
Calico
You’ll have a hard time finding a game cuter than Calico. This tile placement board game involves crafting the best quilt to attract a bunch of cats. If the cats like your quilt, they’ll cozy up on it. This game is about as far from fast-paced as it gets, and we’re totally here for it. Seriously, this is one board game, cat lover or not, that will help you unwind and relax, all while you engage in creative competition with your pals.
Harvest
If you’re one of the millions of people who spent hours planting seeds and growing crops on Farmville, you’re going to love Harvest. This classic strategy game is all about doing just that so that you can bring in a bountiful harvest. It’s easy to learn, tons of fun, and super chill, which is why it’s exactly what you need for a mental time-out.
Parks
When you don’t want to spend hours in a car or fly from one side of the country to the other, but you could desperately use an escape to one of America’s most incredible national parks, Parks is a fantastic substitute. Another award-winning game, Parks features all the mesmerizing natural beauty of the 45 US National Parks.
Parks is one of the laid back and cozy best board games for 1-5 players. As you play, you collect sustainably sourced items as part of each experience, and use them to fill your canteen, take pictures, rack up gear, and visit parks. When playing with others, you’re competing to grab important resources at each stop. Parks is truly the perfect escape from monotonous daily routines, when you can’t actually run away and into the wilderness.
Wingspan
Playing a game about birds doesn’t exactly sound like the most exciting way to spend your time, but trust us when we say, avian-obsessed or not, Wingspan is a game to consider. This award-winning engine-building board game is just as nice to look at as it is to play, and it’s up to you whether you want to play on your own or with up to four other players.
To play the game, you act as a bird enthusiast, trying to attract remarkable birds to your wildlife preserve. You act as a researcher, bird watcher, ornithologist, and collector to build your habitat by gaining food tokens, laying eggs, and drawing bird cards. At the end of four rounds, the player with the most points wins. If you prefer the kind of game you can chill and play without worrying about intense competition, try Wingspan!
Better Me
Self-improvement in game form? Yes, please! Better Me is all about having engaging conversations, practicing mindfulness, setting goals, and being accountable as you “race to become fulfilled.” Play it with friends, your partner, or family members, and you’ll feel like you just completed the best, most entertaining therapy session of your life.
Stardew Valley
Yes, playing video games can be good for your mental health! Stardew Valley is frequently mentioned in online forums as a fantastic game to play when you need to unwind and relieve stress, but don’t want to be totally “numb” to the world. This popular video game is based on the idea that you just inherited your grandfather’s farm in Stardew Valley. You have old tools and a few coins to help you build a new life. Put those cognitive functions to new use and create a sprawling rural paradise!
Night In The Woods
Of all the video games ever created, Night in the Woods continues to stand out as one of the best to represent mental illness and to normalize it in a super approachable and unintimidating way. It’s a game that hits home for so many, and lights a fire in others, none of whom expected either one. This article from Medium can give you an idea of what we mean.
Mental health games are a fun and entertaining way to improve your overall well-being.
Listening to podcasts, like the best health podcasts, will always be our favorite way to relax, reset, and recover, but playing games is a very close second. (Honestly, why not do both at the same time?) With so many games to choose from, we hope that this post gives you some ideas and inspiration. If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Then, head over to the blog for more useful info and practical tips just like this!