This weekend, I suggest you schedule some self-care. But there will be no face masks, mani-pedis or smoothies involved. It’s going to be mayhem, excitement, pushing your boundaries and challenges by playing some exciting (or relaxing) video games.
I am not really a “gamer”, but I have a curated list of games on my phone that I play depending on my mood. Some I play just for fun, while others, I have found, are great for dealing with anxiety attacks. As a child, my favorite game was Tetris. The music just shuts off the part of my brain that worries about bills and deadlines so the fun can begin. My first brush with the game was back in the 90s when you needed a GameBoy, but today my Tetriminos are colorful since I play on my phone now. I reach for it when I am stressed and need to bring awareness to something other than my stressors.
Since then, I have found many games that will make you feel better after a round or two of playing. Some are quite complex and need strategizing, and long-term planning, while others are perfect for a couple of minutes.
Play One Handed
Whenever I am feeling stressed or anxious, I will fire up a quick game that only takes a couple of minutes to play and there are no consequences to my winning or losing. They’re also ones that can be played with one hand while I hold my phone so it is perfect for when I am waiting at a doctor’s office or salon.
To try: Threes, Flappy Dunk
Brain Training Apps
Brain training apps claim to improve your memory, vocabulary, comprehension, math ability and so much more. While I can’t speak for the efficacy of them, I can tell you that the muted colors, chill music and slow pace, does help you feel relaxed. They all use mini challenges and games that help improve your skills.
To try: Elevate, Lumosity, Peak
Get Your Heart Pumping
The Wii introduced many of us to the idea of gamified exercise. If you have ever played Just Dance, then you get what I mean, if you haven’t then you have no idea what you are missing out on. You have to move the handheld controllers in moves that correspond to the one on the screen to score. I have played by myself and I have challenged others to dance offs. I am the first to confess that I have two left feet, but the exhilaration of trying to keep up with the moves and the joy of getting to the end of a song and getting most of it right is so much fun. I would take that instead of going to the gym anyday.
To try: Just Dance, Beat Saber, Ring Fit
Go Questing or Solve Mysteries
Interactive story games or questing games are also great fun, especially if they have a solid storyline and they often leave you with a sense of accomplishment. Searching for hidden clues and trying to uncover secrets can be very thrilling. Put yourself in a character’s shoes for an hour and explore their world while helping them finish their quest.
To try: Day of the tentacle, Genshin Impact, Jenny LeClue
Involve your friends
In the ‘olden’ days if you wanted to play with your friends they had to be with you in the room. Now, you can beat your friends at Scrabble even if they’re seven time zones away. So share the fun and invite your pals to some friendly (or not) competition.
To try: Exploding Kittens, Words with Friends
Simulations
Simulation games are fun, especially when there’s an added social aspect to them. These are the ones you are usually in for the long-haul. You can create a world/life that you aspire to or just enjoy messing with your characters and invite your friends to flex your creative muscles. My favorite one in this category is hands-down Animal Crossing; it’s a time commitment and will eat up all the hours you can throw at it but it is a stress-free escape into a world of your own making.
To try: Stardew Valley, Fallout Shelter
This doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s available. But it is an invitation to “non-gamers” to a world of fun. That said, games can be addictive and you want to make sure that you take breaks, stay hydrated and make sure you stretch and move around every so often.
Photo by Branden Skeli and Hello I’m Nik on Unsplash.
