Gaming is one of those things that provides some serenity amongst the daily chaos of our lives. Whether it’s online casinos, Minecraft, or Fortnite, gaming is not just a form of entertainment, but a growing number of people find it akin to a meditative practice. Many people certainly like the idea of meditating, but don’t necessarily have the concentration or aptitude to do it. But this is why gaming can provide so much as an outlet and offer similar benefits to meditation. So let’s show you some of the reasons why and how gaming can be a meditative experience.
The Singular Focus
When we immerse ourselves into a game, whether it’s a simple practice like Mahjong or something that is densely layered, our attention becomes more concentrated. This is because we are immersing ourselves into a world that helps us to step away from whatever is going on in our lives and this type of focus mirrors the principles of traditional meditational practices.
The goal of meditation is to be fully present in the moment but anybody that’s attempted meditation and found themselves overwhelmed because they’re not able to stop themselves from thinking. It’s one of those things that you realize once you’re engrossed in an RPG game navigating a fantasy landscape or indeed deciphering complex puzzles like Backgammon, you can benefit from the immersive experience of gaming that will induce a state of calm.
This notion of relaxation is very similar to the tranquility we’re all after and those people who’ve been practicing meditation for decades are still potentially seeking it. Many people think that meditating is about sitting still and thinking of nothing when, in actual fact, it’s finding a way to turn the mind off from worrying about the past and the future and just being fully present in the moment. Gaming provides this in abundance.
Why Gaming Can Be Mindful
It may seem like a contradiction of terms, especially as gaming can be associated with rapid-fire decision-making, extreme competition and excitement at every turn that engages all of the senses and more. However, mindful gaming can promote feelings of tranquility. Fully engaging with a virtual environment can support people to develop a greater awareness of their actions and surroundings.
When we move in life or do anything with mindfulness this encourages us to slow ourselves down and create a meditative state in everything that we do. This is quite possibly why Minecraft is such a popular game that spans generations. There’s not just the immediate rewards, but it requires an ongoing effort to nurture so much life. Minecraft also provides many vast virtual environments that can help people develop a greater awareness of a landscape and in many ways can then be transferred to the real world.
Of course, there’s a lot about Minecraft that is not realistic, but when we develop a mindful approach to gaming and learn to calm down in these environments, we are creating a more meditative state that could very well transfer beyond the screen.
The Stress Relief
One of the more common reasons people engage in meditation is to escape from the demands and pressures of everyday life. As we delve into certain game narratives we enter alternate realities that can become a sanctuary where we’re able to detect from real-world stresses. One of the reasons that gaming provides an escape is because of that fantasy aspect.
While there are undoubtedly benefits to playing realistic games, if we’re trying to tap into some form of meditative or therapeutic potential we’ve got to go virtual. We need to remember that the benefits of meditating are all down to stepping away from the visceral problems around us so we can recharge and rejuvenate. As players can enter alternate realities that can look and feel wonderful and impact the senses in a positive way everybody can benefit.
The Therapeutic Potential of Gaming
Video gaming can help in a number of different ways especially when it comes to the concepts of coping with conditions like anxiety, depression and PTSD. In fact, studies have shown video games can be a useful part of therapy in a professional setting. This is because it provides a sense of engagement and immersion that traditional therapy tools may not have.
In fact, companies like MindJam are paving the way for many charities that offer emotional and special educational needs support for young people via gaming. The benefits of therapy in gaming can be invaluable for young people who may not want to discuss certain deep-rooted issues. In this respect, gaming becomes a tool that allows the mentor or counselor and the individual to bond.
There are also recommended games to help alleviate certain symptoms. For example, the Child’s Play Charity provides a recommended list of games to help with certain ailments, from pain to short-term and long-term boredom, cognitive impairment, sadness, and anxiety. These include games like New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch. Gaming can be a transcendent experience in this way going beyond conventional entertainment and can, in fact, be a very valuable resource to help anybody combat mental health concerns.
The Benefits of Connections
While meditation can be perceived as a solitary pursuit, gaming often introduces a social element to this experience. Online multiplayer games can enable individuals to connect with other like-minded players across the world. We’ve all learned that through the pandemic being sociable in whatever way we’ve appropriate is incredibly beneficial to our health and those that hunkered down in their room and stayed on their Xbox were doing themselves a favor.
Online multiplayer games and collaborative interactions within a game can contribute to a shared experience that will enhance the overall well-being of the players. Meditation is something that doesn’t just have to occur by yourself and when we’re talking about the benefits of gaming as a meditative practice, there is a lot to be said for the lack of introspection that can benefit clear thinking.
We should all prioritize that sense of connection in life and online gaming can provide that, as long as we’re doing it with people that we know and trust. There are, of course, a lot of unsavory players out there and when we find the right people that we can collaborate with, this will only reinforce positive connections between us and them, and we will crave that shared experience because our mental health will benefit.
Selecting the Right Games
Of course, we can’t just start firing away on Call of Duty and think that we’re going to feel the benefits. Granted, there can be a number of positives to be gained from that old-fashioned sense of catharsis. If we feel frustrated in life, we can take it out on things which means that we don’t feel that same level of frustration if we were to let our emotions bubble and fester. But we should look at the right environments, narratives, and mechanics to help us find games that can aid a feeling of meditation.
Simulation titles are a very good example. Lots of people find simulation games boring. But this has a lot to do with our lack of attention. We need to remember that any form of mindfulness is about learning to switch off those receptors in our brain that are constantly wired. If we feel overstimulated we’re never going to relax, and therefore we need to get to grips with the things that we know provide a more relaxing backdrop for our gaming sessions. We can all have too much exposure to high-octane explosions and choose the more relaxing games that can benefit us in many ways.
For example, the game Abzu has been picked as one of the most relaxing games of 2023. This gives you the opportunity to explore the ocean and take in the sights and sounds. There are many other fantastic games that we can benefit from such as Donut County and Gris, but for those people who haven’t yet taken the time to think about the games that will suit their temperament, this list of PC games will certainly benefit.
Remembering to Strike the Right Balance
Gaming can certainly offer a number of meditative benefits, but we must strike a balance and remember that excessive screen time in any form can have potential drawbacks. We all can benefit from taking periodic breaks and establishing time limits so we can maintain a healthier relationship with gaming in general.
The mix of gaming and meditation flies in the face of preconceived notions about both activities and can open up so many different territories for exploration. As the gaming landscape continues to change year on year and more people are now feeling strung out because of excessive screen time we’re likely going to see a significant shift in how gaming is being used as a practice not just for entertainment, but actually self-discovery and well-being.
Embracing the meditative aspects of gaming doesn’t just broaden our gaming horizons but is going to provide a path to gaining some form of inner peace, which we are all undoubtedly in need of in the modern digital age.
