During the winter months—especially if you live in a heavy snow zone—it’s natural to want to spend as much time indoors as possible. Sitting underneath a warm, fuzzy blanket on your couch while sipping some warm tea can feel satisfying despite the frigid conditions outside. But, having a lack of sunlight for too long can lead to feelings of seasonal depression and isolation.

Fortunately, stimulating indoor activities like cozy gaming not only help keep us company until the summer sun returns but also have this fantastic health benefit: It's good for your mental health. We talked to two experts about the wellness effects of cozy gaming, especially in the colder months, and here's what they had to say.

But first, what is cozy gaming?

Cozy gaming exploded in popularity at the height of the pandemic. With the influx of, let's just say, not-so-happy news updates, many people (us included!) turned to indoor activities like baking sourdough and cozy gaming to stay sane.

Generally, a cozy game is a low-intensity game full of vibrant worlds and dynamic characters. These types of games typically provide a sense of calmness for players with cute animal-themed avatars and freedom to build your world as you see fit.

Most cozy games center around the environment rather than one specific objective or goal. Unlike other genres of games, the goal of cozy gaming isn't to win. In cozy games, players can take their time growing gardens, running businesses, and interacting with other characters—which, let's be honest, was a much-needed reprieve during lockdown.

And one of our experts agrees. Known online as Cozy K, cozy gaming influencer and blogger Kennedy Rose first found solace in cozy games as a young child. “It introduced me to a different kind of gaming experience—one that felt more about nurturing than winning,” she says about her first time playing Harvest Moon as a child. 

But as an adult, Kennedy has continued to gravitate to Harvest Moon and other cozy games that provide the same feeling of relaxation and escapism. “It gave me a much-needed break from all the pressure—and my connection to it has only grown stronger since.”

The relationship between gaming and your mental health

Recently, virtual gameplay has become a part of therapy treatment for kids and young adults. One study published in the journal Trends in Psychology looked at 80 undergraduate students who played casual video games. The research found that playing these games helped lower stress, heart rate, and blood pressure levels for the students, according to various methods of measurement, including the Psychological Stress Measure (PSM-9) assessment and blood pressure readings. Students who participated in the study also reported that playing video games was a good coping strategy for mental health concerns like anxiety and depression.¹

Additionally, therapists for children and young adults often use video games as a form of play therapy to create a safe space for clients to express thoughts and emotions. For example, psychologist Jessica Stone, PhD, RPT-S, has written and spoken extensively about what it's like using video games and other virtual tools with her young clients. Through her practice, she has observed how a lot of young clients are able to find community and comfort in creating characters that reflect their true identity.

“Being able to explore different facets of how we externally represent ourselves helps us to hone in on what our true identification or representation really is—being able to do that in a digital form—you can represent what you think of as your best self in an environment that feels safe to do so, ” says Dr. Stone.

Cozy games you might enjoy playing 

Convinced to start playing? Good news: You can get into cozy gaming even if it’s been a while since you owned a gaming console. And because there are so many games available, you can choose which genres calm your nerves in any virtual format—whether that's your console, phone, tablet, or laptop. Don't know where to start? Here are some that we recommend.

One of the most popular cozy games that gained traction during the height of the pandemic was Animal Crossing. This low-stakes—and may we say, adorable—game allows you to wander around an island with little to no worries. Like other cozy games, there's no *real* objective, but you can do a variety of activities, like planting trees, making friends with other animals, decorating your house, or attending events.

Stardew Valley is another popular cozy game that centers around you being the head farmer of your own land. The game consists of spending your days feeding your animals, planting crops, and exploring the town from time to time. 

“I always recommend Stardew Valley first because it’s such a perfect introduction to cozy gaming—it centers community, it’s incredibly rewarding, and you can mostly play at your own pace,” Cozy K tells Well+Good.

If you were a Hello Kitty fan as a kid, you may enjoy the nostalgia of Hello Kitty Island Adventure. Other fun games include A Short Hike, Cozy Grove, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land. These games are often available to buy online through Steam or on the Nintendo Switch (console and controllers, $300).

Other cozy hobbies to consider trying this winter season

If you love the idea of being extra cozy in the winter, but cozy gaming just isn't your vibe, worry not. These other cozy hobbies might just interest you.

Gaming influencers like Cozy K have turned cozy gaming into a lifestyle. Another activity to go along with cozy gaming is curating a personalized gaming space for yourself. “That alone is such a meaningful gift to yourself, and along the way, you learn what makes you feel safe to relax. For me, it’s being surrounded by warm lighting, my favorite trinkets, and the softest blankets to snuggle up in,” says Cozy K about her home gaming setup.

She has also used her platform to express a love for other cozy activities, such as:

• Digital coloring: You can download free digital coloring apps on your phone or tablet, which typically involve following a numbered guide for coloring in shapes and pictures. You can also download coloring books to your tablet to color over with your stylus. But, if you're into traditional coloring books, you might like Cozy Friends (paperback, $8) or Self-Love (paperback, $8).
• Diamond painting: Looking for ways to stay off your phone? Consider a craft known as diamond painting. This activity involves placing small gems on a canvas to create vibrant images. It's just like painting...well, without the paint. We like this Party Edition kit from PaintGem (16-pack, $40).
• LEGO building: Remember playing with LEGOs as a kid? Well, they're back in fashion. (Let's be honest, did they ever leave?) Recently, the LEGO flower bouquets have risen in popularity as a fun, mindless adult task. One of our favorites is the Orchid from The Botanical Collection (608 pieces, $50). Along with the joy of finishing your LEGO flower masterpiece,  you can also use it to add some character to your living room decor afterward.

The bottom line

In case you needed a reminder, here it is: It’s never a waste of time to slow down for a bit. So, if your soul is craving some cozy time, there are a ton of ways to make that happen. While cozy gaming has risen in popularity, other cozy hobbies can often provide the same health benefit of improving your mental well-being.

Whether you need to lower your stress, improve your mood, or build a sense of community, cozy gaming can offer several avenues to self-care. The nostalgia and brightness of a cozy game can bring some light to an otherwise cloudy and dark winter season for anyone—including you.