I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, been struggling with trauma since last summer, have ADD, and suffer from issues of self esteem and depression thanks to my childhood, and playing Animal Crossing is amazing. It helps me relax and take things one day at a time (a way I cope with stress and anxiety when I was in school.) My friends who also suffer from anxiety have become addicted to playing because it helps them relax and it makes me so happy to watch them play since I know the three of us struggle with a lot of mental issues. But the villagers also help me a lot. I'm not one who's felt really cared for, looking out for myself and not really feeling loved until I met my friends in freshman year of high school, and so getting these gifts from my villagers and sharing all the little things I love about them to my friends fills me with so much joy. Basically, I've played the game every day since I got it a week and a half ago. I love being able to control it (since loss of control is linked to my anxiety and trauma and been a struggle for me since I was young), I love being able to relax and take things slowly and one day at a time (ADD+anxiety make me feel like I constantly have to be going and taking things slow allow me to be able to focus), the freedom of self expression is something I have adored in games since I was little and so few games have given me that, and I absolutely love nature and the beach. Nature and especially the ocean/beach help calm me (I use storm and ocean sounds to help sleep sometimes) and I love having a small little beach for my house where it's my own private beach the way I like (a dream I've had for a long time.) I love seeing new bugs, learning about the fish and bugs, and finding new things constantly. I love giving gifts, not even wanting anything in return, I just like seeing my villagers happy. This game has helped bring me so much peace and has helped me relax and keep my sleep schedule (something I struggle constantly) to where I feel excited and constantly looking forward to the next day. I always have something to look forward to, it always keeps me in a happy mood. And I love that my island and my villagers is something unique to me. I love seeing my friends' islands since it's a look into them, but I especially love mine because I know: there is no island like mine. Sorry it was so long and kinda jumbled and random, I just really love this game and it really helps me get through some rough days and has helped me feel just as happy as when I'm around my friends and makes my time with them even more fun.
I started saving money to buy acnh and a switch since recently my anxiety and stress have gone through the roof because of online school, plus in my household I can’t dress or express myself as I wish because of my fear of being judged by my parents. Your video convinced me that maybe I do deserve a treat at the end of the day and dissolve all my worries when I feel the need to :)
For those of us that cannot get Animal Crossing: New Horizons, its mobile twin, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, is a good relief too. It's what I've been doing and it has the same effects, plus it is free on your smartphone to boot.
Thank you for adding this!! Pocket Camp has the same benefits, yes, plus the added benefits of instant accessibility throughout the day and easy friend-making mechanics!
@@ScreenTherapy That it does. You can also have the animals visit your campsite. Right now, they have the Sakura tree event going on where one has to plant sakura trees and capture the bees that are around them. I even have Tom Nook at my camp site as well along with Jay and Goldie currently. There is a lot to do in game, but during stressful times like these, I make time for it as it helps take the edge off.
Thank you for the lovely video. I have been struggling with depression and my parent's messy divorce only adds the fuel to the fire. I am so glad that I can still play Animal Crossing, it helps me gain something to look forward to everyday. This game has helped me stabilize my emotional and mental state albeit it's only for a few hours a day. :)
I have generalized anxiety disorder and I played animal crossing since I was a kid 2 days ago I bought the switch and animal crossing again it always helps my anxiety and it still does I was really anxious lately so I thought why not buy animal crossing it always helped me and it still does everything you pointed out is true even when I’m even close to a panic attack when I play animal crossing suddenly there is a fish to catch and it helps me a lot
Thank you for your comment! I know exactly what you mean, Animal Crossing is great at interrupting our panic peaks and grounding our thoughts again. So glad your enjoying New Horizons!!😁
This video is so sweet. Thank you. Back when Wild World came out, I had been struggling with anxiety, depression, and drug addiction. It helped me deal with the lack of structure in my life at the time, and gave me an actual wholesome/childlike satisfaction with tiny things. It made me "feel the sun" again. I credit this game a lot for helping change my life, when I really needed it. I was drowning myself in other addictions before finding it, but instead of harming myself, I was addicted to building my little happy place here. Before I knew it, 8 hours had passed and I hadn't felt the need to touch on any of my destructive behaviors. Sometimes we just need to find our happy place and escape there. Hope you're healing in New Horizons with us too. 💜😊
Thank you so much for sharing! It's so encouraging to hear others' stories, New Leaf really helped me through some dark anxiety-filled times as well. I'm so happy to have New Horizons at this tough time to make my day brighter. Thank you again for watching and commenting! Wishing you the best! 😁😁😁
I have pretty terrible anxiety and depression and am in recovery from an eating disorder. This game has helped so much with my mental well-being. So happy I started playing.
me and my best friend have aspergers. he plays animal crossing and i've decided to give it a shot.....but i need to wait till the switch lites come back in stock.
The most professional, friendly, and frankly straight up interesting video essay I've ever seen. Very well done! You left me inspired and quite cheerful, thank you :)
@@ScreenTherapy I really mean it! Is there any way to support you directly? Like a patreon or something like that? It's all too good to let it go unrewarded!
Thank you, you're so kind!! As of right now I dont have anything, but if you follow me on twitter you'll see right away any updates or if I do start one. 😁
I'm glad you did another video on Animal Crossing! I love watching videos about this video and I discovered your channel thanks to the previous video about AC. Gaming and psychology are my greatest passions too, and I think this is the most underrated channel on YT ahah
I want to get animal crossing new horizons, though I don't have money. I don't know if I can convince my mom, but I really want it because of how calming it seems. I can't seem to draw because it makes me want to cry/scream, but when I'm drawing things similar to animal crossing I feel a tiny bit calmer. I want to draw more animal crossing things, but I don't know many of the characters. Game-plays aren't enjoyable for me
Thank you for your video, very informative and this is kind of new to me. I mean, I've always enjoyed videogames but lately I've been through hard times and I've felt I couldn't enjoy them as I used to and some of them have felt as if they were chores since most of the time I'm obsessed with completing them 100% (and maybe because of my mood too). For example, Zelda BOTW was a bit overwhelming for me. Because of this I've been looking for different videogames to help me with my mood and anxiety (specially ones that don't involve violence). I don't have the means to play the latest Animal Crossing, but I could play the first one for the Gamecube. I wonder if it would work the same for my mental health as New Horizons, or is it too outdated?
Thank you for sharing your experience! The original animal crossing should still be able to offer a lot for you! The villagers might be a little more rude, but the overall mechanics and mood of the game are similar enough for Hedonic well-being, I believe. 🙂
It would be a lot better for my mental health if I could craft more than 1 damn thing at a time. The most annoyingly repetitive game I’ve ever played, thanks to my niece.
you don't have to constantly work to pay your debt in animal crossing, because you can pay them anytime you want ! Tom Nook actually never rushes you to pay them !
I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, been struggling with trauma since last summer, have ADD, and suffer from issues of self esteem and depression thanks to my childhood, and playing Animal Crossing is amazing. It helps me relax and take things one day at a time (a way I cope with stress and anxiety when I was in school.) My friends who also suffer from anxiety have become addicted to playing because it helps them relax and it makes me so happy to watch them play since I know the three of us struggle with a lot of mental issues.
But the villagers also help me a lot. I'm not one who's felt really cared for, looking out for myself and not really feeling loved until I met my friends in freshman year of high school, and so getting these gifts from my villagers and sharing all the little things I love about them to my friends fills me with so much joy.
Basically, I've played the game every day since I got it a week and a half ago. I love being able to control it (since loss of control is linked to my anxiety and trauma and been a struggle for me since I was young), I love being able to relax and take things slowly and one day at a time (ADD+anxiety make me feel like I constantly have to be going and taking things slow allow me to be able to focus), the freedom of self expression is something I have adored in games since I was little and so few games have given me that, and I absolutely love nature and the beach. Nature and especially the ocean/beach help calm me (I use storm and ocean sounds to help sleep sometimes) and I love having a small little beach for my house where it's my own private beach the way I like (a dream I've had for a long time.) I love seeing new bugs, learning about the fish and bugs, and finding new things constantly. I love giving gifts, not even wanting anything in return, I just like seeing my villagers happy. This game has helped bring me so much peace and has helped me relax and keep my sleep schedule (something I struggle constantly) to where I feel excited and constantly looking forward to the next day. I always have something to look forward to, it always keeps me in a happy mood. And I love that my island and my villagers is something unique to me. I love seeing my friends' islands since it's a look into them, but I especially love mine because I know: there is no island like mine.
Sorry it was so long and kinda jumbled and random, I just really love this game and it really helps me get through some rough days and has helped me feel just as happy as when I'm around my friends and makes my time with them even more fun.
Animal crossing help me when my mom was going through cancer no joke
I started saving money to buy acnh and a switch since recently my anxiety and stress have gone through the roof because of online school, plus in my household I can’t dress or express myself as I wish because of my fear of being judged by my parents. Your video convinced me that maybe I do deserve a treat at the end of the day and dissolve all my worries when I feel the need to :)
For those of us that cannot get Animal Crossing: New Horizons, its mobile twin, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, is a good relief too. It's what I've been doing and it has the same effects, plus it is free on your smartphone to boot.
Thank you for adding this!! Pocket Camp has the same benefits, yes, plus the added benefits of instant accessibility throughout the day and easy friend-making mechanics!
@@ScreenTherapy That it does. You can also have the animals visit your campsite. Right now, they have the Sakura tree event going on where one has to plant sakura trees and capture the bees that are around them. I even have Tom Nook at my camp site as well along with Jay and Goldie currently. There is a lot to do in game, but during stressful times like these, I make time for it as it helps take the edge off.
I wish it was available in my country
@@Vicente480 I'm sorry that it's not but there is always Animal Crossing New Leaf which can be bought quite cheaply these days.
Amanda Alvis yeah same
Thank you for the lovely video. I have been struggling with depression and my parent's messy divorce only adds the fuel to the fire. I am so glad that I can still play Animal Crossing, it helps me gain something to look forward to everyday. This game has helped me stabilize my emotional and mental state albeit it's only for a few hours a day. :)
I have generalized anxiety disorder and I played animal crossing since I was a kid 2 days ago I bought the switch and animal crossing again it always helps my anxiety and it still does I was really anxious lately so I thought why not buy animal crossing it always helped me and it still does everything you pointed out is true even when I’m even close to a panic attack when I play animal crossing suddenly there is a fish to catch and it helps me a lot
Thank you for your comment! I know exactly what you mean, Animal Crossing is great at interrupting our panic peaks and grounding our thoughts again. So glad your enjoying New Horizons!!😁
AHHH, I'm so excited that you covered the newer animal crossing game. Your other video on animal crossing is one of my favourites.
Thank you!! I'm glad you liked it :D
This video is so sweet. Thank you.
Back when Wild World came out, I had been struggling with anxiety, depression, and drug addiction. It helped me deal with the lack of structure in my life at the time, and gave me an actual wholesome/childlike satisfaction with tiny things. It made me "feel the sun" again. I credit this game a lot for helping change my life, when I really needed it. I was drowning myself in other addictions before finding it, but instead of harming myself, I was addicted to building my little happy place here. Before I knew it, 8 hours had passed and I hadn't felt the need to touch on any of my destructive behaviors.
Sometimes we just need to find our happy place and escape there. Hope you're healing in New Horizons with us too. 💜😊
Thank you so much for sharing! It's so encouraging to hear others' stories, New Leaf really helped me through some dark anxiety-filled times as well. I'm so happy to have New Horizons at this tough time to make my day brighter. Thank you again for watching and commenting! Wishing you the best! 😁😁😁
I have pretty terrible anxiety and depression and am in recovery from an eating disorder. This game has helped so much with my mental well-being. So happy I started playing.
this channel is like a little piece of heaven an I'm glad I found it!!
keep up the amazing work you do!
Thank you so much! Will do, I'll be making more videos soon! 😁
Even this video is soothing. Thank you
Your videos deserve way more views. Can not wait to see what else you put out! These videos be going hard 😎
Haha, thank you!! 🙂
me and my best friend have aspergers. he plays animal crossing and i've decided to give it a shot.....but i need to wait till the switch lites come back in stock.
I have aspergers too and it’s so great
didn't hear good things about switch lite so you might want to avoid that
@@omarabdelkadereldarir7458 I am very happy with my lite c:
your voice is so soothing! i'm so glad i found this channel! this helped me win an argument aswell, so win win!
The most professional, friendly, and frankly straight up interesting video essay I've ever seen. Very well done! You left me inspired and quite cheerful, thank you :)
Thank you so much! I'm very happy you liked it! 😁
@@ScreenTherapy I really mean it!
Is there any way to support you directly? Like a patreon or something like that? It's all too good to let it go unrewarded!
Thank you, you're so kind!! As of right now I dont have anything, but if you follow me on twitter you'll see right away any updates or if I do start one. 😁
Nice video :D
Thank you! 🙂
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Come back with a video about Outer Wilds!!
We miss your essay full of amazingly amazing amazigness. You are greatly brilliant!
notice how this has no dislikes :)
Nice Game
Cool video
Thank you!!
I'm glad you did another video on Animal Crossing! I love watching videos about this video and I discovered your channel thanks to the previous video about AC. Gaming and psychology are my greatest passions too, and I think this is the most underrated channel on YT ahah
Thank you very much for your kind words!! Please let me know if you ever have a suggestion for a future video :)
Agreed, I can't wait til people find this channel and see how great it is.
@@ItMeLily Thank you! 😁
I want to get animal crossing new horizons, though I don't have money. I don't know if I can convince my mom, but I really want it because of how calming it seems. I can't seem to draw because it makes me want to cry/scream, but when I'm drawing things similar to animal crossing I feel a tiny bit calmer. I want to draw more animal crossing things, but I don't know many of the characters. Game-plays aren't enjoyable for me
Thank you for this review :)
Thank you for watching!!
My island in acnh is named Leafton
Amazing video
Thank you very much! I'll be sure to add Majoras Mask to my list of games! 😁
Thank you for your video, very informative and this is kind of new to me. I mean, I've always enjoyed videogames but lately I've been through hard times and I've felt I couldn't enjoy them as I used to and some of them have felt as if they were chores since most of the time I'm obsessed with completing them 100% (and maybe because of my mood too). For example, Zelda BOTW was a bit overwhelming for me. Because of this I've been looking for different videogames to help me with my mood and anxiety (specially ones that don't involve violence). I don't have the means to play the latest Animal Crossing, but I could play the first one for the Gamecube. I wonder if it would work the same for my mental health as New Horizons, or is it too outdated?
Thank you for sharing your experience! The original animal crossing should still be able to offer a lot for you! The villagers might be a little more rude, but the overall mechanics and mood of the game are similar enough for Hedonic well-being, I believe. 🙂
@@ScreenTherapy Thanks! :)
Now I have no reason not to play this game every day. Cool!
Can you do one on Mario Odyssey?
It would be a lot better for my mental health if I could craft more than 1 damn thing at a time. The most annoyingly repetitive game I’ve ever played, thanks to my niece.
But aren’t all of the Animal Crossing games about you being grossly indebted, and you constantly working to pay it off?
you don't have to constantly work to pay your debt in animal crossing, because you can pay them anytime you want ! Tom Nook actually never rushes you to pay them !