Confession: I don’t consider myself much of a gamer. Most video games heighten my anxiety instead of calming it. I’m the type of person to white knuckle the controller as I speed down Rainbow Road, gritting my teeth as my stars are stolen in Mario Party. So when I stumbled upon “cozy game” recs on TikTok, I felt seen . . . and uncharacteristically inspired to pick up the controller. “Here are some cozy games to play on those days where you’re not feeling well physically or mentally,” creator Cozy K says in a June 2024 TikTok with over 400K likes. But can cozy gaming actually improve your mental health?
Cozy games (usually played on Nintendo Switch or iPhone) are designed to help users relax and unwind. Instead of racing, battling, or competing, you’re tasked with exploring beautiful worlds, cooking virtual meals, or tending to adorable creatures. Leave all urgency and anxiety at the door — these games are just about losing yourself in the moment.
Cozy gaming isn’t exactly a hard sell — but as it turns out, there might be some real mental health benefits to games like these. And with fall just around the corner, more people are looking for ways to lean into some seasonal comfort. To learn more, we asked experts to explain how cozy games impact the brain (and why they might be worth trying this fall). Read on to find out what these games do, how they work, and how to go about picking the best cozy game for your mental health.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Vanessa Kennedy, PhD, is director of psychology at Driftwood Recovery.
Mikal Bailey, DMSc, PA-C, MT(ASCP), is the CEO of mental health and wellness company Stillwater Health.
Benefits of Cozy Gaming
“Cozy games are low stress, enjoyable, and often wholesome online games that are designed to calm your mind and reduce your stress level,” explains psychologist Vanessa Kennedy, PhD. “They typically involve soothing colors and aesthetics, positive reinforcement, nature or animals, and community interaction.” These games typically limit elements that could be considered stressful, including violence, fear, and high-stakes competition. But that doesn’t mean you won’t encounter the occasional creepy cozy game (to each their own). “There is growing data to support the use of video games that promote feelings of well-being for adults and youth,” says researcher Mikal Bailey, DMSc, PA-C, MT(ASCP). Additional benefits may include:
- Reduced stress or anxiety
- Safe social interactions
- Positive sense of accomplishment
- Cognitive stimulation
- Strategizing and problem solving
- Mental recovery from trauma or depression
- Temporary respite from daily stressors
- The ability to cope with failure in a controlled environment
Cozy Games and Mental Health
Cozy gaming definitely sounds enticing — especially with fall just around the corner. But there’s also science to support the feel-good effects (as if we needed more reasons to play). “These games are designed to help you relax and slow down, perhaps at the end of a busy and rushed day,” Dr. Kennedy says. Activities like interior design, farming or gardening, and interacting with characters may also help you connect with positive attributes like creativity, love for nature, and the ability to nurture.
“Early research into cozy games suggests that they can have positive mental health benefits on par with meditation and mindfulness practices,” Dr. Kennedy says. To her point, in a 2021 study with 80 undergraduate students, participants who played a cozy game for 20 minutes experienced lower blood pressure and heart rate to a similar degree as students who completed a 20-minute meditation. Why exactly is that?
- Meditative elements: “Cozy games can promote relaxation through meditative elements such as growing flowers in a garden or crafting, building homes, farming or fishing, soothing colors, and music,” Dr. Kennedy says. “Meditation allows the brain to focus on one thing in the moment without negative judgment.”
- Distractibility: If you’re dealing with high levels of stress or anxiety, cozy games serve as a nice distraction, and that can benefit your mental health. “We can ‘de-stress’ our nervous systems by entering into gaming environments that provide us a greater sense of control,” Dr. Bailey says. “This allows us to detach from other stressors for a period of time, allowing our fight-or-flight response to lessen.”
- Sense of accomplishment: Cozy games may provide a quick dopamine boost by having you complete small tasks (be it fishing, cooking, or looking after a virtual farm). This kind of creativity and self-expression is also just downright fun. “The player can engage in a simpler, more child-like curiosity and wonder, activating a lighter, more joyous set of emotions,” Dr. Kennedy says.
- Social connection: “These games also encourage participation with other players online or non-player characters (NPCs) in the game, who are often
grumpy, funny, or give clues to solve puzzles or mysteries,” Dr. Kennedy says. “The positive emotions cultivated by this social connection can lead to a mood boost and sense of belonging.”
How to Pick a Cozy Game
The best cozy games for mental health will vary from person to person. Dr. Kennedy suggests games that promote your sense of relaxation, creativity, and connection (whatever that might look like for you). “Cozy games should also be easy to engage with in terms of accessing them on your phone or gaming device, with easy-to-accomplish tasks,” she says. “Avoid games with high-pressure elements such as intense competition or group battles, time limits, [or] violence.” Here are eight of the best cozy games recommended on social media:
- Palia: In this MMO, you’ll work as a villager to tend to your plot of land, completing basic tasks in a scenic landscape (think fishing, cooking, foraging, and gardening). “Although there is hunting as a form of combat, the game is mostly focused on socializing than anything else,” TikTok creator adroidirl explains.
- Tiny Glade: This is a cozy city-building game with a medieval theme, where players can construct everything from castles to ruins. “This game looks so relaxing and peaceful,” one commenter writes on TikTok (and we’d be inclined to agree).
- Sun Haven: It doesn’t get much cozier than this fantasy farming game. Here, you’ll build and tend to your farm while completing tasks and exploring the medieval town. “Sun Haven is my comfort cozy game. It’s so magical and relaxing to play,” one TikTok commenter writes.
- Roots of Pacha: Another cozy farming game, but this one is set in the stone age. “This game is great for relaxing,” one person confirms in the r/CozyGamers subReddit. “No combat, the soundtrack is really peaceful, interacting with the animals through music and each other with dance, it’s a very cute game.”
- Strange Horticulture: Looking for a cozy game to play this fall? Strange horticulture might be the perfect fit. This game is on the spookier side, with you operating as the owner of a local plant store. You’ll find and identify plants, solve puzzles, and even work your way through multiple different endings. “I’d recommend taking your time with it and really enjoy the characters and the storyline,” one Redditor writes. “It’s a great game to play on a rainy day with a cup of tea in hand. V cozy with excellent spooky vibes.”
- Wylde Flowers: The cottagecore vibes are strong in this structured story-telling game, where your objective is to become a witch. Expect to farm, cast spells, and complete quests along the way. “I love the fact you can change the seasons when you want to, so you’re not rushed for time during any season,” one person writes on Reddit.
- Wytchwood: For a gothic fantasy vibe, check out this crafting adventure game. You’ll play as the witch of the woods, exploring the countryside, collecting ingredients, and conjuring up spells. “I used to walk to a local cafe early on Saturday mornings and sit outside and play while sipping an iced chai for an hour or two,” one Redditor says. “I cherished that ritual.”
- Stardew Valley: It’s tough to talk about cozy gaming without mentioning Stardew Valley. This is a classic farming game where you’ll tend to your farm plot, take care of animals, fish, and go on quests. “The vibes are cozy and impeccable,” one person explains on Reddit. “There are goals, and those goals are achievable. It’s the same dopamine rush as checking things off a to-do list.”
Note that cozy gaming is not a replacement for actual mental health care, and too much gaming can have negative effects. “There is a level of too much gaming that may not be healthy for us,” Dr. Bailey says. Studies put this number at around 10 hours or more a week, but if your gaming starts to affect your work, sleep, or relationships, you may want to consider dialing back.
When in doubt, remember that cozy gaming should leave you feeling better than you did before. “The activities should be fun, low-stress, and soothing to the nervous system, allowing you to breathe more deeply and recharge your batteries,” Dr. Kennedy says. And with that in mind — kindly pass me the controller.
Chandler Plante (she/her) is a social producer and staff writer for the Health & Fitness team at Popsugar. She has over five years of industry experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine, a social media manager for Millie magazine, and a contributor for Bustle Digital Group. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and is based in Los Angeles.
