Winter Wellbeing: Video games, self-care, and social connection

Safe In Our World explores how video games, social connection, and small everyday changes can help us achieve meaningful downtime during the winter months.

The movies paint a magical picture of the festive season, but do you feel festive? Does your heart swell at the thought of twinkling lights, blankets of snow, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire?

Maybe! But for many, the darker days and colder weather also mean low moods, low energy, and a low bank account. Changes to our routines can leave us exhausted or isolated. These are the times to prioritise our energy and do things that make us feel good.

Determined to find a spark of hope, we turned to our community, our charity ambassadors, and expert Julia Melvin (People Experience & Development Manager at Wushu Studios) for their recommendations to level up our wellbeing game this winter.

Fireside Feelings | A game of cosy campfire conversations

What does self-care look like?

Self-care means making intentional, daily choices that prioritise your physical, mental, and emotional health. We asked our ambassadors what self-care meant to them, and our Ambassador Lead, Adele, shared her approach.

“I’ve found I’ve been picking up abandoned hobbies lately, like journaling to help with creativity and processing my thoughts. Mood lighting is also a must! Nothing better than some cosy fairy lights as the darker nights draw in.” – Adele

It’s true, journaling is often thought of as a great activity for your mental health. Self-care can also look like taking a break from your screens before bed or cooking your favourite meal. You might set aside time to read a book or, you guessed it, play a video game.

Sometimes the easiest way to create a little breathing room from everyday stress is to find an activity that draws us into the present, and for many people, video games do exactly that. So, we’re exploring a few video game recommendations you could try this winter, and why, contrary to popular belief, video games can be good for you.

Comforting video games to play this winter

Julia explains that games can offer different forms of comfort depending on what we need. Playing online can provide social interaction, while solo games can offer an absorbing story or a welcoming digital world.

“You can either lean into the winter vibes and play a game with winter scenes, or you can play something that feels warmer and more cheerful to escape winter entirely for a while!” – Julia Melvin

Games can also help us focus on the present through their combination of visuals, sounds, music, and physical interaction. For people who find it difficult to sit still during traditional relaxation exercises, this kind of active rest can provide a more accessible alternative.

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Snowman Story: A recommendation from Mashfiq Ahmed

Charity ambassador Mashfiq Ahmed told us about a short, heartfelt adventure that gives you about two to three hours of gameplay to switch off this winter. Players follow a snowman’s journey as he searches for a place he won’t melt when spring finally arrives.

“I love the beautiful pixel art and calming music, which makes it an ideal game to curl up with on a winter evening. Beyond its cosy aesthetics, it also tells an impactful story about friendship, coming to terms with mortality, and finding meaning in the time we have.” – Mashfiq Ahmed

“What makes Snowman Story such a great winter wellbeing recommendation,” says Mashfiq, “is its reminder to appreciate the little things and the connections we make along the way. Winter can sometimes feel like a time that’s just spent waiting for brighter days, both literally and metaphorically. This game encourages us to find joy in the present instead of focusing only on what happens next. It leaves you thinking about how even the smallest moments can make a lasting difference.”

People turn to cosy games for many kinds of comfort. You might be looking for a peaceful world to explore, a meaningful story to invest in, or time with your friends.

Snowman Story | Finding joy in the present

Gaming together: Connection, community, and online wellbeing

Video games offer many social benefits. We can spend time with friends when cold weather or distance makes meeting in person difficult. We can connect with new people who share our interests during multiplayer gaming sessions or in gaming communities. During the winter, when loneliness can set in, video games can offer relief.

Julia notes that loneliness is not necessarily about being physically alone, but about feeling disconnected from others. If you find yourself spending more time alone, changing your routine can help you enjoy that time more.

“Making time to call family and friends, play with our pets or find online communities can be helpful. There are sometimes local book clubs or board game social clubs in your area which can also be a nice way to connect with others with shared interests.” – Julia Melvin

But gaming is only one part of self-care. Meaningful downtime also involves recognising when to step away from the screen. Julia notes that it’s important to set healthy boundaries around gaming. “It can be hard to walk away from a game when we are in the zone,” says Julia, “especially if you have ADHD, as I do! If I game too late in the evening, I know I’ll struggle to unwind and get to sleep as my brain is still too active.”

Julia aims to step away from a video game at least one hour before bed to let her brain prepare for rest, and she recommends journaling if you struggle to slow down your thinking. “Journaling gives you a chance to brain dump any thoughts you are having that are stopping you from winding down.”

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Little Inferno: A recommendation from Sybil Collas

Charity ambassador Sybil Collas shared a heart-warming recommendation for a cosy game they keep coming back to that has helped them through the darker months.

“My winter comforts are the moments that shine when the days go dark: the warm nook of someone’s neck, the weighty hug of a thick cover, the jingling music of Little Inferno’s December DLC.” – Sybil Collas

Sybil has a special love for Little Inferno, describing it as nostalgic and cosy. Sybil says, “This game scratches my destructive itch while providing a type of care I didn’t know I needed until I played it: the reassurance that beyond ashes and darkness and snow, there is someone, real or not, who cares about you and enjoys burning things at the same time.”

“For this winter, I wish you all a nice mug of your favourite hot drink, and many, many chimney fires.” – Sybil Collas

Little Inferno | A reminder that someone cares about you

A little financial breathing room for gamers

Charity ambassador Sara Heritage identifies another winter stressor: financial pressure. Festive shopping, social commitments and rising living costs can make it harder to relax and enjoy the season. We’ve also talked a lot about playing video games for our wellbeing, but that comes at a cost too.

“Fortunately, you don’t have to give up games to afford the festive period. My favourite hack is to buy gift cards from Loaded at a reduced price, so you can play whatever cosy looks like to you, for even cheaper.” – Sarah Heritage

You could also add video games to your wishlist if you’re giving gifts during the festive season. That way, your friends and family know what you’d really like, and you can share your interests with them!

Winter wellbeing doesn’t have to cost a lot. The most helpful rituals may already be within reach, from familiar music and home-cooked meals to games already in your backlog, just waiting to be played.

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Protecting your wellbeing this winter

Looking for more ways to support your wellbeing this winter? Find recommendations for offline activities to safeguard your mental health during the darker months, from creative hobbies to mindful moments, in our additional Winter Wellbeing article with Julia Melvin and friends.

We’ll also be joined by Julia later this month for a webinar on Navigating Winter Wellbeing, covering topics such as understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder, navigating holiday stress, managing finances, staying warm, and protecting your immune system.