College basketball is one of my passions. I’m a huge Kentucky Wildcats fan, and every year I sit there hoping that this may be our year.
And for the last decade, I’ve learned to live with disappointment.
This year is no exception. After my beloved Cats threw away the game in roughly the last 90 seconds, I had my annual visit with the downside of March Madness.
Anger.
Rage might be a better word.
I’m fine. It’s fine. Everything’s fine. They call it March Madness for a reason.
And I needed to get all that out, preferably in constructive ways. Now, I have two ways to go about doing this.
Writing murder mysteries.
Or.
Video Games.
For this article’s sake, we will focus on the latter.
Hogwarts Legacy was my Tax Return Treat. I’m still in the let me run around and see Hogwarts stage of the game: that or Hogsmeade or even the Forbidden Forest.
I booted up the game, and the first thing I went to do was practice my dueling in a one vs. four matchup. I needed the challenge. I wanted the challenge. And I rose to it.
One by one, I worked my way through them. Bonus, I won the tournament.
I then went on to clear a goblin encampment, and by that point, I was starting to feel a little better.
This isn’t the first time I’ve done something like this. It’s been a technique I’ve used for years. Something about ganking monsters, machines, or whatever is in your way is therapeutic.
One would think I’d go to a game like Coral Island or Stardew Valley for something relaxing to find my Zen again.
That may be part of the reason I’m drawn to Harvestella. It gives me the best of both worlds.
But why are games so therapeutic? Why are they something people are drawn to?
One of the joys of video games is they are an escape. Another joy is that they provide an outlet for you to be angry but safely and constructively.
Perhaps in video games, we have control when things in our life may seem out of control. After a long day at work where nothing seemed to be going right, in a video game, you can do anything. You can conquer any task, beat any obstacles, and reach any goal.
It’s freeing.
Video games are fantastic for a good dopamine hit, and when you have the reward chemical dancing through your brain, whatever had you down suddenly doesn’t feel as bad.
We’re slightly over a month from Mental Health Awareness Month, but it crossed my path this week. Both in the example above and in a book I read.
Done in the right way, video games can help us work through our thoughts and our feelings. Sometimes something as simple as a new plot point or reaching the climax of a storyline you’re deeply invested in can do so much to lift your mood and your day.
So yes, sadly, my Cats are out of the tournament. But this year, I took it better than I have. I did have a little help, though.
Do you use video games to work through feelings? Do you have a favorite video game to do so with? Is there one that feels warm and therapeutic? Is there a go-to game for bad days?
Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
Boss Rush After Dark: The Alternative Podcast for The Boss Rush Network – Saturdays at 7AM ET (Warning: For Mature Audiences Only)
Boss Rush After Dark
Boss Rush After Dark is the Alternative Podcast from The Boss Rush Network. Each week, LeRon, Stephanie, Corey, and their friends from around the internet come together to discuss topics of conversation dealing with dating, depression, life experiences, sex, and more. If you enjoy a more adult oriented, serious subjects as well as some lighthearted NSFW discussions, check out Boss Rush After Dark every Saturday morning on podcast services and YouTube.
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