can play video games be a great way relieve stress, and many of us need all the help we can get, especially around the holiday season.Make more options available because there is no one-size-fits-all solution to mental health fight stress important before it becomes a chronic problem. Xbox’s new program launching today could give players another tool. stress relief kit.
In today’s Xbox Wire blog post, Xbox announced a partnership with sleep and meditation app Calm. This collaboration brings the soundscapes of two Xbox games to the Calm app. I can hear the sound of waves and the voice of seabirds from today. sea of thieves or from ambient background noise Halo InfiniteThis is Zeta Halo with a Calm Premium membership.
do not have Halo Infinite or sea of thieves Arguably the most relaxing experience, listening to the sounds of nature has been shown to improve mood and aid sleep. 1 study I have found that water and bird sounds work best.
If you haven’t signed up for Calm Premium yet, you’ll get 3 months free if you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can also purchase his 1-year Calm Premium subscription at half price through the program.
While nature soundscapes have been shown to be beneficial for mental health in general, it’s important to note that the app is not a substitute for actual mental health care. meta review Of the studies on mental health apps published in 2022, the studies supporting their effectiveness were generally found to be flawed, with the apps providing “small to moderate benefits over nothing.” concluded that it would result inhard evidence Support the benefits of meditation As such, integrating meditation apps into your life can be beneficial, so long as they are not used as a replacement for other mental health interventions.
Xbox’s new mental health initiative offers more than a Calm trial. Also starting today, Xbox players can donate Microsoft Rewards points to Crisis Text Line, The Games and Online Harassment Hotline, and mental health advocacy group Take This. Microsoft also donates all proceeds from its sales. gears of war “never fight alone” Send your t-shirt to Crisis Text Line and get 1% of all proceeds gears of war toys and games.
Throughout December, Xbox has already hosted two Twitch takeovers, inviting guest streamers to Xbox Twitch Channel — and one more planned. Dec. 14 at 6:00 PM ET, streamer Aimé will play stardew valleyone of the most chill games.
stardew valley is also included in the Game Pass collection, which highlights games that promote relaxation and spotlight mental health issues. stardew valley Fellow chill games join in Disney Dreamlight Valley, Unpacking, Hellblade: Senua’s SacrificeWhen persona 5which is the opposite of Chill, is included in the new collection to showcase representations of mental health.
To highlight how stress and other mental health issues affect real people, the Xbox Community Blog shares stories of Xbox Ambassadors discussing their own mental health. These posts focus on the consequences of stress and burnout and how people have used gaming to keep themselves fit.
Launching a new mental health awareness program for Xbox, 343 Industry Quality of Life Program Manager Ron Brown is featured in an Xbox Wire blog post. In the post, Brown dives into his history of going through burnout, getting his first mental health diagnosis, and working to treat depression. In addition to highlighting how it has helped, talk about taking medication and seeing a therapist.
While it can be tempting to look for simple solutions such as playing games to de-stress, the more difficult task of contacting a professional should also be part of the conversation. By highlighting both the experiences of people who have dealt with more serious mental health struggles, Xbox’s new efforts may help at least some players take their mental health more seriously. .
