What “Animal Crossing” can teach us about mental health

Ever heard of a game called Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

If not, it’s a game that celebrates routines with daily activities needed to complete and dynamic character interactions, all while providing positive psychological wellbeing. For many players, the game also provides a space for positivity, stability, stress relief, and self-expression that is reinforced daily through continuous gameplay.

What does Animal Crossing have to do with you?

In a fast-paced society like ours, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially during this pandemic. Don’t think so? Let’s look at a few items:

• Bills

• Appointments

• Medications

• Loved ones

• Errands

• Cleaning

• Pets

• School

• Work

Do all of that, and you still have to cook dinner. It’s exhausting to think about, and it’s possible to feel a little breathless just reading that list. There are so many areas in our lives that demand our attention that we often forget to care for ourselves.

If she mentions self-care, I swear–

Well, no, I’m not talking about that just yet. That’s for another post, but it is essential!

I’m here to start with the basics: a routine.

Routines are an ally to mental health as they help alleviate anxiety, promote healthy habits, and combat burnout. They give us a sense of control and allow the mind to adjust and understand what to expect. Something we could all use after experiencing the train wreck that was last year.

I’m not talking about a decked-out Google Calendar that’s packed with color-coded items for every hour of the day. If your life is that organized, more power to you! For those of us who may not have that kind of structure (or any), let’s start small. 

Don’t start meticulously planning your whole day, especially if that’s not something you’re used to doing. Focus on a section of your day and create a routine for it. For most, this will look like a morning or evening routine.

Like in Animal Crossing, routines are what you make of it. Players can fish, catch bugs, collect resources, hang out with their neighbors, tend to a garden, or decorate the island. However, sometimes it rains and there aren’t any bugs to catch, or a particular fish is only available during a specific time. Players learn to adjust their routines accordingly. 

Similarly, your routine needs to be flexible enough to allow for unexpected events. It becomes more harmful than helpful when it is rigid and unyielding and increases stress rather than alleviates it. Be willing to adjust your routine when needed.

Self-care works best if it’s slotted into a dedicated space for it––but who’s to say that creating a routine isn’t its own form of self-care?

—Jasmine Trotter LPC-A Lic. #87140 |supervised by Marie Gray Lic. #76149