Ways Gaming Can Help When Dealing with Depression

When people feel down and depressed, there are many things they flock to to make themselves feel better. And most of us gamers, well, we go to what we love: Video games. And with the holidays upon us, many of us find ourselves feeling down in the dumps instead of happy and joyous. So this time of year seems like the perfect time to talk about what games one could play to uplift their spirits a bit.

Now everyone is different and everyone copes with depression differently than others, and that also rings true for gamers. Some of us play a game that we know through and through as that calms us, others prefer to take the violent route with hack n' slash types and fighting types, while there are also those of us who go to our sandbox-type of games, such as Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon, and The Sims. So with this knowledge, we have compiled a nice little list of possible games to play when you may be feeling down, that includes a little bit of everything for everyone.

First up let's take the violent-game route! Violent games help some release their frustrations, being able to unleash chaos in a game that, well, would just be illegal to do in the real world. Games that some may want to play when taking this route could be titles such as Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row, or hack n' slash titles such as Devil May Cry and God of War, or fighters like Mortal Kombat and Tekken. Playing games like this immerse you in a world where you can do as you want, and take out your frustrations on who (or what) ever you want. Recent games that you may want to use for this route includes Bloodborne and Mortal Kombat X.

The next type of gaming that one could use to help give them that boost from depression would be sandbox-type games. In these types of games, we literally control pretty much everything around us, which gives us a sense of control in our very hectic lives where we have control over very little. Games in this genre could include Minecraft (Creative Mode), Animal Crossing, The Sims, and technically even Disney Infinity. Being in control and playing a god-like role in the game, uplifts us, making us feel like we're doing something rather constructive in some way, all while having [almost] absolute control on this little world you've created. Some games to play when going this route would be Animal Crossing: New Leaf, The Sims 3 or 4, and of course, Minecraft.

A couple of other ways to cope with feeling down and being depressed are to play games you are familiar with, and games with vast worlds that you can just lose yourself in. Playing a game that you have perhaps beaten countless amounts of times or a game you held dear as a child can make you feel at ease. Since you know the game like the back of your hand, there is zero guess-work involved, and little to know thinking. It's also a nice way to relax when being stressed out. And with titles we cherished as a child, it reminds us of the simpler times in our lives, and that in itself can bring one comfort.

Another way is by playing open-world games with tons of terrain to wander through all while taking on side-quests or main missions, it's really up to you! Games that come to mind for this one would be games such as The Witcher III, Skyrim, The Reckoning: Kingdoms of Amalur, and even RPGs such as the Final Fantasy and Tales of franchises. Not only is it a whole new world for you to explore, but you also get to experience a great story along the way (that is until you get side-tracked by multiple side-quests...). I can't tell you how many times just wandering through the land of Skyrim helped improve my mood.

Just know that if you are feeling down, and are dealing with depression, you're not alone, especially during this holiday season. So if you're a gamer, grab a controller, pop in your favorite game, and relax. It'll get better. So what are some games that you use to help you when you're feeling down? Sound off in the comments below!

Random Rambles & Musings: Positivity Vs. Negativity

This blog won't have a ton of gaming in it. This is basically a "just-for-the-hell-of-it" type blog post. I really want & need to post a lot more, but with my life duties sometimes getting in the way, it's pretty difficult. Who knew I had set my life's difficulty level that high? Haha! 

Anyways... Just some random thoughts. I love my life, I do, but there are always things we can improve upon. For example, I tend to get really stressed out really easily for absolutely no valid reason. Being stressed leads to bouts of depression, & then that in turn leads to me over-thinking everything, & revisiting things of my past that are still pretty painful to look back on. I am learning to change all of that. Life is too short to be worried all the time. Everything happens for a reason, & in the end, it'll all work out how the Universe has so planned. I'm taking baby steps, but I'm getting there. Just keep your focus on the positive.
There are so many people nowadays that pity themselves too much. They in turn make their lives worse unknowingly. If they could just drop the b.s., & just be thankful they are alive & breathing, all would get better for them. If you put out negativity, than you shall receive negativity. Put out positivity, receive positivity in return. That's just how it works guys & gals. Seriously, think about it, uncloud your mind, open up and REALLY think about it. When you think negative thoughts, those will only lead to more negative thoughts. Same with positive thoughts. Plain & simple.

Another thing, positvity & negativity are contagious. If you're negative towards someone, or you act negatively in front of someone, they will react negatively as well. It's a vicious cycle, & I honestly think that's why this world we live in is so cruel & cold nowadays. I'm not a psychologist or therapist or anything of the sort, though I have played this part to many a friend & family member over the years. I am just thinking logically. 

Find the joys in the little things in life...make yourself happy. Life is what you make it to be. You want a good life, go out & make it so! You want happiness? Well, dammit, go out & find it! Sitting in a darkened room won't help you find a damn thing, trust me, I speak from experience. I'm not here to tell you what to do, but to let people out there know that you always have a choice in how your life is lived. The only person who can change it though, is you.

I want more happiness in this world, less sadness & depression. Less people thinking they are nothing, thus resorting to suicide as their last resort. It should not be a last resort, nor any resort! Suicide is not an answer. I've had suicidal thoughts in the past, I'm not going to lie. I've had thoughts when things were going bad, I would think "Perhaps if I were gone, everything would be better". No. Nope. Nuh-uh. Don't think that ever. Your death will never be an answer for anything, other than a cowardly way out of a messed-up situation, that could probably be easily fixed if looked at from a different perspective.

In the end, just know you are never alone if you are feeling this way, or have ever felt this way. Know that you can heal yourself, & make your life better. I'm working towards that goal of less worries, less anxiety, less depression...& if I can do it, I'm pretty sure you can do it too. If anyone out there is actually reading this, thank you. & know that if you need someone to help you sort through whatever it is you're going through in order to make your life better, comment below. I'll answer & help in any way I can. Because everybody needs someone to lean on from time to time. :)