Video games get a lot of bad press (some of it deserved) but they can bring real benefits as well. Some games are geared toward building brain power, relieving tension, and sharpening thinking skills. These can be great to play and can create a fun outlet for stress relief. But those “regular” video games–the ones that aren’t marketed as brain boosters or stress relievers–can be beneficial as well. Here are some of the benefits of games:

They’re fun.  Fun activities are important for balance. As much as we need leisure time, we also need good old mood-boosting fun. (Remember how a good mood can build your resilience to stress?) This means that a game you really enjoy can bring an emotional lift, particularly if you play in moderation.

They take your mind off of stress.  We can get stuck in rumination mode all too often. Video games can help you take your mind off of stress and get it into the present moment. This present focus can help minimize chronic stress and bring the benefits of flow.

Yes, “flow.” If you’re not familiar with the concept of flow as it pertains to stress relief, it’s that state of mind when you’re perfectly engaged in a challenge that’s not too difficult and not too simple. These activities, when they engage our minds and our skills, can help us feel happier and more alive, and can relieve stress as well.

For more information on the benefits of video games, read my (linked) article on Verywell. You can also find more in-depth information and planning strategies in my book, 8 Keys to Stress Management. If you need some game ideas, I’ve included some in the article, but my current favorites are Animal Crossing (I’m still playing New Leaf off and on and have been since it was released in 2012), Pokemon, and these free online games:

• 2048: You smoosh numbers on a grid together, they multiply, and you try to keep the game going until you reach 2048. There’s a little more to it than that (use the arrows on your keyboard and you’ll figure it out really quickly), and you can develop some strategy, but it’s fun, not too challenging (but still challenging enough), and you can play for 30 minutes or 3. Great for a mental break.
• Word Wipe: This one is free from USAToday (they have a great collection) and it’s basically “Boggle” meets “Tetris.” You find words, they disappear as you connect the letters and the remaining numbers move down the board. The goal is to remove more and more rows of letters each round. I love it.
• Daily Crossword Puzzle: I found Word Wipe because I was completing the daily crossword puzzle on USAToday. I’m a huge fan of these puzzles as one of my grandfathers would complete one every day in pen and his mind remained sharp as a tack until he passed at age almost-97. It’s a family tradition, and it can keep your mind sharp. (Yes, I know this isn’t a traditional “video game” but it’s played online so I’m including it.)