How Video Games Can Help You Overcome Grief

Grief is one of the hardest emotions to process. It’s usually accompanied by sadness and a feeling of never having an end in sight. The good thing is that while it may not ever go away, grief can be managed and reduced as time goes on. Some studies have even indicated that video games can even help you to process grief, especially in the case of death.

Understanding Grief

The process of healing from grief can look unique for every person experiencing it. Oftentimes, the person experiencing grief will look for ways to cope outside of themselves. The escape allows for processing without having to face the problem head-on, which can become overwhelming. Grief can come from many circumstances, both internal and external.

How Games Can Help

Specifically looking at video games, they often encourage an immersive experience, which can provide a healthy escape – whether it be through a story that literally contains loss or pain and the healing process from it or analogies that mimic the process. Add in the amplification of virtual reality and 3D options, and there is a viable escape at anyone’s fingertips. In essence, video games fall into the reverse of an old saying, “art imitates life,” and creates a safe space for players to learn, grow, and feel. After all, it can take multiple well-rounded attempts to help work through grief, as seen, https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/grief/

Can Games Just Be for Entertainment?

It’s true that games can be played simply for enjoyment without the need to work through grief. In fact, the ability to help with grief is usually just a side-product of the game, not a reason someone might choose it. However, within that escapism, it’s impossible not to understand that we’re constantly learning and coping, if only subconsciously. Just as with books, music, movies, and any other media, we often don’t go in hoping for a “fix” to anything in our lives, but we still learn and take something from it.

Video Games with a Purpose

On the other hand, there are games out there that do directly try to conquer real-world problems. Whether it be a game navigating through stages of life or through the different levels of hell, these video games directly help to educate and improve the lives of players. Sure, games like Animal Crossing or Mario Kart are fun and can have indirect benefits, but the healing that comes with thought-provoking content is unique. Though, that’s not to say that building an idyllic community of your own or connecting with virtual strangers cannot provide the same benefits.

Video Games and the Pandemic

In 2020 when the world began to shut down, people began to look for safe ways to keep themselves entertained. While some may not recognize grief within themselves as a result of the changing world, the pandemic did alter lives for the worst. Gaming became a coping mechanism for many during this time. Looking back at some of the biggest trends during one of the roughest periods in modern-day history, they centered around gaming (I.e.. Among Us, Animal Crossing) and building communities (Tik Tok, social media, trends such as WORDLE) that helped to soothe grief.

This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.