Jryntorica Qysalind 
Gaming is a comfort to many people, something that they might resort to when they’re feeling as though they need a break or escape. That in itself can be valuable in terms of mental health, but does that mean it’s good for your mental health as a whole?
It’s a more complicated issue than such black-and-white definitions will allow for, bringing moderation and responsible use into the discussion as often happens. There are times when it can be healthy and times when it might not be, and understanding these times in relation to your own use of video games might help you to get the most out of them.
Moderation
That idea of moderation is one that’s always valuable when it comes to regulating how potentially harmful something is. It can be applied broadly – helping you to cut back on things that you know are harmful to you, then allowing you to take that philosophy and apply it anywhere.
When it comes to gaming, it can be difficult to tell when it’s good to call it a day – sometimes, long gaming binges are exactly what you’re in the mood for. However, even if you’ve allocated an entire weekend to immersing yourself in your current favorite game, ensuring that you take breaks, go outside, and get exercise can be good for your optical, physical, and mental health.
If the games that you enjoy are casino games or blackjack online, taking more regular breaks can help to keep the activity healthy and enjoyable, preventing you from spending more than you mean to.
Falling Into a Rhythm
One of the many reasons gaming is such an enjoyable and accessible hobby to so many is because it’s in your home and provides you with immediate comfort. This is undoubtedly something positive about it, allowing you to engage with it regardless of the weather or whether your friends are available. However, it can also prevent you from going out as much.
If your gaming habits are leading to a situation where you’re increasingly unwilling to leave the house, go outside, or engage with your friends (as unlikely as that might seem), it might be worth readjusting the amount of time that you spend with this hobby so that it occupies a smaller percentage of your free time.
Keeping it Healthy
It’s worth reiterating that, on the whole, gaming is not at all detrimental to mental health and can even support it at times. That being said, the worlds that are created and shown to you are powerful – games are often designed to be engaging so that you want to keep playing, stimulating your neurotransmitters to provide the satisfaction of reward over and over again.
So, there is an addictive element to consider – meaning that knowing how and when to stop and take a break is all it takes to keep this healthy. If you can ensure that the hobby isn’t impacting you negatively at all, you can enjoy all it has to offer with peace of mind.
