Let’s talk about how video gaming can help our mental health and overall health
Life can be stressful is a mantra sung by many if not all Ghanaians. If it’s not our work life it’s our personal life. Day after day it seems like a never-ending headache. Back-to-back days, weeks and months like this can only lead to burnout, stress and depression to name a few. Human beings are not machines and therefore need stress relievers to help wind down and make us feel better. For the Ghanaian gamer, there’s no better way than to sit behind your console and play your game of choice.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever let someone down, got your ass kicked or straight up failed. But those are the moments that define us. They push you further than you’ve ever thought possible and force you to make choices. No matter the cost.
Cole McGrath (Infamous 2)
“There are only personal apocalypses. Nothing is a cliché when it’s happening to you.”
Max Payne (Max Payne)
Gamers rely on games to help relax and improve their lives and mental health. For us, games are more than a source of entertainment. They can be teachers, like a game called It Takes Two which involves an immersive story where a couple facing divorce (due to martial health) get turned into dolls by a magic spell and has to work together to change back while trying to fix their repaired relations. Even recently a multiplayer shooter game called Helldivers 2 has quickly brought players together in a cinematic ‘last stand against the enemies’ way.
They can also be a source of comfort. Gamers all have that one game that no matter how many times they’ve played, even if they’ve finished it. These games give a hit of nostalgia that allows you to remember a happier memory.
They can even provide us with a great deal of motivation. All gamers have had that game, level or boss that has been a thorn in their side. There’s a special feeling of triumph and happiness when you finish that hard difficulty that is unmatched. Conquering those games provides you with the motivation and determination to overcome hardships in real life.
So if games have the power to heal, why would some Ghanaians see it as a waste of time?
Well, it’s the stereotype of gamers being lazy and unproductive. The fear that people who play games are lazy, become loners, have violent tendencies and many others.
People need to realize that like all good things, gaming can be done in moderation. Not all gamers are addicted to it and the positives are present as well. They are a source of entertainment and comfort for people of all ages. Not just children.
Ghanaians need to accept that games are more than a means of enjoying yourself. For some, they are a means of interacting and even interpreting the world, helping you improve your mental well-being and motivate you to do better in your life.
So before you rebuke or make fun of a person who enjoys games, perhaps you should find out the reason they enjoy it so much.
You may learn something.
