How games like Animal Crossing help mental health

Growing up, Danii felt she was “a bit strange” and struggled to fit in.

But discovering fun gaming gave her a lifeline.

Fun games like Animal Crossing, Unpacking and Stardew Valley are different from traditional games – often with relaxing tasks, cute characters and more creative control for players.

Many gamers now report that it helps with their mental health.

According to Mental health charity Mind CymruSocial gaming can provide a coping mechanism for people dealing with mental health issues, and it’s also a good way to practice mindfulness.

Mum-of-five Danii Wills, 32, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, suffers from anxiety and depression and was recently diagnosed with ADHD.

She started gaming when she was young, and later moved on to role-playing games like Pokémon Red and The Sims, both of which are considered fun games by many.

She said playing online with other people and “talking for hours” with them gave her a sense of community.

“I honestly think it helped me survive,” she said.

“It got me through my very worst years.”

Fun games focus on daily routines, building community, or solving mysteries, rather than combat and competition.

It also often involves playing in a relaxed environment, with players using lights and blankets to create a comforting atmosphere.

Gamers are sharing their cozy setups and playrooms on TikTok and Instagram, with some videos receiving millions of views.

During the coronavirus pandemic, celebrities started posting about the fun games they were playing, including a new game in the Animal Crossing series, which subsequently became extremely popular.

Animal Crossing is one of the games played by members of Nintendo South Wales, a group that organizes free events for Nintendo fans every month.

They say playing fun games has given their members a sense of community and, for some, an important lifeline.

Member Ben Ayling, 38, from Cardiff, has schizophrenia and other mental and physical health problems.

Formerly homeless and struggling with drug addiction, he said he uses gaming as an escape.

“I know that after a few minutes of pushing the buttons, I forgot that I was having a hard time,” he said.

“If you have mental health issues, I can’t recommend anything else because all you have to do is open your eyes and move your fingers.

“It takes no effort at all and you get so much in return.”

Other members of the group said they can also talk openly about their mental health while playing online.

Lindsey Lawrence, 37, who has fibromyalgia, said: “When I’m not doing so well with my medical conditions, I tend to turn to Tetris.

“For me, a fun game is just something that makes you feel very warm and happy inside. It’s not just about pixels, it goes beyond that.”

Most friendly gaming communities are based online.

Graphic designer Zoe Phare, 32, is a member of a Facebook group with 250,000 followers dedicated to fun games.

Zoe, who lives in Caerphilly, has faced bullying at school and said it was “really comforting” to become attached to characters in games.

Now, if her mind is “too active” and she finds herself “mindlessly scrolling,” gaming allows her to focus on something, which calms her down.

Casual gaming can be a coping mechanism and a form of mindfulness, says Simon Jones, head of policy and campaigns for Mind Cymru.

He said: “Some people might want to go running or be physically active, others might want to read a book or see a friend.

“Gaming clearly plays a role for some people, and that’s a valuable part of anyone’s toolbox.”

Fun games are often cheaper than other video games and many are made by smaller game developers.

They can be played on desktops or laptops, and on consoles such as Nintendo Switch and Xbox.

Many gamers use colorful lighting, Bluetooth speakers and soundbars or noise-canceling headphones, decorating their consoles and spaces with nods to their favorite games.

All this can cost you between €200 and €4,000.

But for some gamers, like busy mom Danii, a cozy setup can mean something much simpler.

“I grab my blanket, I snuggle on the couch, usually my partner makes me coffee or hot chocolate or gets me some snacks,” she said.

“Once I sit down and put my headset on, I can relax and not have to worry about anything for a few hours. It’s wonderful.”