In the world of gaming, it’s easy to focus on the thrill of competition, the excitement of exploring vast open worlds, and the challenge of overcoming tough enemies. However, there’s an often-overlooked aspect of gaming that has been gaining more recognition in recent years—its potential to boost mental health and well-being.

While gaming sometimes gets a bad rap for fostering isolation or leading to unhealthy screen time habits, there’s a growing body of research showing that, when used thoughtfully, video games can have a positive impact on mental health. Here’s how video games can help improve your well-being and why they might be worth adding to your mental health toolkit.