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Video games are more than just a way to unwind digitally—they can play a meaningful role in boosting mental health. Fitness-oriented games have been shown to improve overall well-being, and some are even used to help manage phantom limb pain or aid individuals with wrist and hand mobility challenges. Recent studies suggest that engaging with expansive open-world games like Zelda can significantly elevate feelings of happiness.
Exploring the connection between Zelda and scientific findings
Researchers from Imperial College London, Kyushu Sangyo University, and Georgia State University carried out a randomized trial involving over 500 students. Participants were instructed to play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and also watch films from Studio Ghibli, such as My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service.
[Image: Poster for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]
At the conclusion of the study, students completed a questionnaire assessing their feelings of curiosity, calmness, mastery, skill, purpose, and life meaning after exploring the game’s vast world. The results indicated that playing Zelda can foster happiness by inspiring wonder and exploration. One compelling insight from the research notes:
Engaging with these classic stories can evoke a sense of purpose—players often feel they are contributing to something greater than themselves, even within a fictional universe. This sense of being part of a larger cause can be profoundly fulfilling. Additionally, players frequently find tranquility in peaceful in-game moments, such as riding across open fields, gathering resources quietly, or watching sunrises from high vantage points.
Why does this matter?
While games are often dismissed as mere distractions, the researchers emphasize that they serve as a form of active escapism that revitalizes energy and resilience. For the students involved in the study, gaming helped alleviate stress, anxiety, and burnout, showcasing its potential as a tool for emotional renewal.
Andreas B. Eisingerich, a professor at Imperial College Business School and co-author of the study, highlighted that immersing oneself in the world of Zelda can actively nurture essential human qualities like curiosity, peace, purpose, and happiness—offering valuable pathways to enhance everyday well-being.
Interestingly, the research also found that watching nostalgic Studio Ghibli films combined with gameplay can trigger similar boosts in happiness, calm, and purpose while fostering a sense of discovering personal meaning. For more details, the full study is available in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
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