How I improved my relationship with gaming

When Ffion, 21, found her relationship with gaming was becoming an obsession, she decided to make a change. Here is her story of gaming and mental health.

In the past, there has been a lot of focus in the media on the negative effects of video games on our mental health and wellbeing. However, in recent years there has been a move towards considering the positive impacts of video gaming.

For example, shooter video games can improve your reasoning, spatial awareness and memory skills. Strategic video games can improve your problem-solving and creativity skills. Multiplayer games can improve your ability to communicate with others and can build up your teamwork skills. And, in my experience, playing video games can improve your mood and help you to relax and manage your anxiety.

Gaming played a large role in my life when I was young as I played games for fun, enjoyment and a way to relax after school. I especially loved Lego games, adventure games like Super Mario Galaxy and detective games. I loved the way I could watch a story unfold while also having the power to change the story and pick the responses that best suited my characters.

Unfortunately, a few years ago my relationship with gaming became less about enjoyment and more of an obsession. I used to spend hours playing games on my phone in my room away from my friends and family. I would also spend a lot of money on in-app purchases to level up my ability and receive bonuses. I found it very difficult to stop making these purchases and to put the phone away. It was difficult to focus my attention on anything else, so I decided to make a change.

I began playing games on the computer that did not include in-app purchases. I spent time playing Nintendo games to regain the passion that I had as a child playing video games. By putting limits on my screen time, I am now back to a healthy relationship with gaming and have a happier outlook on life. I find gaming more relaxing now and I am not consumed like I once was. I have started to enjoy multiplayer games and strategy games like the ones I used to play when I was younger. I love how strategy games can keep my mind active and help me problem solve. I enjoy playing online multiplayer games with my friends as it has been a good way to keep in contact through lockdown.

I love immersing myself in the characters and environments of the video games I play. It is like I have opened a door to a new world that I can explore and forget about the life and environment that I am in. This has proved very useful when trying to relax after a stressful day of studying. I can forget about my worries and my anxieties through gaming, which has had a very positive impact on my life. I feel much happier about my gaming habits now and I have seen improvements in my mood as a result.

I find gaming more relaxing now and I am not consumed like I once was.