All topics
Every guide on the site, grouped by topic. 154 articles and counting.
Mind and Mood
Mental health, self-image and emotional skills around play.
Mental Health
- What Gamers Need to Know About Gaming and Mental Health
- Gaming and Anxiety: A Growing Concern
- Gaming and Stress: A Growing Concern
- Getting Through Difficult Periods
- Healthy Coping Strategies Compared
- The Impact of Gaming on Mental Health: A Statistical Analysis
- The Link Between Gaming and Depression: A Statistical Analysis
- The Relationship Between Gaming and Anxiety Disorders
- The Relationship Between Gaming and Escapism
- The Relationship Between Gaming and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Self-Image
- How Gaming Can Affect Your Self-Concept
- Gaming and Perfectionism: A Study on the Impact
- Gaming and Social Comparison: A Study on the Impact
- How Gaming Can Affect Your Self-Esteem: A Study
- How Gaming Can Affect Your Sense of Purpose
- The Link Between Gaming and Narcissism: A Statistical Analysis
- The Role of Gaming in Shaping Identity
Emotional Skills
Enjoyment and Motivation
- Why We Play: Understanding Motivation
- Boredom and Reaching for the Controller
- Comfort Play and Familiar Favorites
- Competitive Pressure and Wanting to Win
- Completionism and the Urge to Finish Everything
- Daily Streaks and the Pressure to Log In
- Handling Frustration and Rage
- Rediscovering Enjoyment When Play Has Gone Flat
- When Play Feels Like an Obligation
Brain and Body
Attention, sleep and physical health.
Brain and Body
- The Effects of Gaming on Cognitive Function: A Scientific Study
- The Effects of Gaming on Brain Development: A Scientific Study
- The Effects of Gaming on Cognitive Flexibility: A Scientific Study
- The Effects of Gaming on Physical Health: A Scientific Study
- The Impact of Gaming on Academic Performance
- Why Gamers Need to Prioritize Sleep: A Look at Gaming and Sleep Deprivation
Sleep and Routines
- A Practical Guide to Gaming and Healthy Sleep
- Blue Light and Evening Play: What Is Known and What Is Not
- Caffeine and Energy Drinks During Long Sessions
- Making the Bedroom a Better Place to Sleep
- Morning Energy Without Reaching for a Screen
- Napping After a Late Night: When It Helps
- Setting a Consistent Bedtime Around Your Play Plans
- Signs You Are Running on Too Little Sleep
- Why Weekend Marathons Throw Off Your Week
- Winding Down After a Late Session
Comfort and Movement
- Gaming Comfort Basics: Posture, Eyes and Hands
- Choosing Screen Height and Distance Comfortably
- Eye Strain and the 20-20-20 Habit
- Fitting Regular Exercise Around a Gaming Hobby
- Mindless Snacking During Play
- Neck and Shoulder Tension After Long Sessions
- Simple Stretches You Can Do in Your Chair
- Sitting Posture for Long Sessions
- Sitting Too Long: Why Movement Matters
- Staying Hydrated and Eating Properly While You Play
- Wrist and Hand Comfort for Controller and Mouse Users
Focus and Attention
- How Gaming Relates to Attention and Focus
- Does Fast-Paced Play Change How We Pay Attention
- Flow in Play and What It Feels Like
- Managing Distractions While You Play and Work
- Mental Fatigue After Intense Matches
- Multitasking With Chat, Video and Games
- Restoring Concentration With Offline Breaks
- Short Rituals to Prepare for Study or Work
- Switching Between Play and Tasks Without Losing Momentum
- Why Notifications Pull You Out of Focus
People and Community
Relationships, communities and culture.
Relationships
- How Gaming Can Affect Your Relationships with Family and Friends
- Gaming and Loneliness: A Growing Concern
- How Gaming Can Affect Your Relationship: A Statistical Breakdown
- Long-Distance Friendships Through Play
- The Relationship Between Gaming and Social Isolation: A Study
- What Gamers Need to Know About Gaming and Relationships
- Why Gamers Need to Prioritize Real-Life Connections
Community and Culture
- The Benefits of Gaming Communities for Mental Health
- Gaming and Social Media: A Study on the Impact
- Gaming and Social Skills: A Study on the Impact
- The Benefits of Gaming Communities: A Statistical Analysis
- The Role of Gaming in Shaping Cultural Norms
- The Role of Gaming in Shaping Social Norms
- What Gamers Need to Know About Online Harassment
Online Conduct and Safety
- Staying Safe and Kind in Online Play
- Being a Good Teammate
- Coping With Toxic Chat
- Healthy Boundaries With Online Friends
- Muting, Blocking and Reporting Explained
- Protecting Your Personal Information While Playing
- Spotting Scams and Phishing in Gaming Spaces
- Streamers, Followers and Parasocial Attachment
- Supporting Someone Who Is Being Bullied Online
Habits and Balance
Limits, breaks and spotting problem play.
Balance and Limits
- The Importance of Setting Limits in Gaming: A Guide
- How Gaming Can Affect Your Work-Life Balance
- The Benefits of Responsible Gaming: A Look at the Stats
- The Benefits of Taking a Break from Gaming: A Statistical Analysis
- The Benefits of Taking Breaks from Gaming: A Statistical Analysis
- The Importance of Setting Realistic Goals in Gaming: A Guide
- Why Gamers Need to Practice Self-Care: A Look at the Stats
- Why Gamers Need to Set Boundaries: A Guide to Responsible Play
Addiction Awareness
Healthy Habits
- Building Healthy Gaming Habits That Last
- A Weekly Review of How Play Fits Your Life
- Dealing With Slip-Ups Without Guilt
- Handling the One More Round Urge
- How to End a Session Cleanly
- Keeping an Honest Play Journal
- Planning Play Sessions in Advance
- Replacing Autopilot Play With Intentional Choices
- Rewards That Are Not Another Session
- Using Timers and Alarms Without Resenting Them
Families and Households
Guidance for parents, partners and people who share a home.
Parents and Young Players
- A Parents Guide to Gaming and Child Wellbeing
- Agreeing Family Rules for Play Time
- Child Online Safety Basics for Parents
- Early Warning Signs Worth Discussing With a Professional
- Handling Meltdowns When Play Ends
- Homework and Play: Finding a Routine
- Playing Alongside Your Child
- Reading Age Ratings and Content Descriptions
- Screen Time for Younger Children
- Talking With Your Child About What They Play
- Teenagers, Autonomy and Gaming
Household and Partners
- Sharing a Home When One Person Plays More
- Friend Groups With Uneven Commitment
- Planning Date Nights and Play Nights
- Playing Together as a Couple
- Roommates and Shared Spaces
- Siblings Who Play Together and Apart
- Splitting Household Chores Around Play
- Talking With a Partner About Time Spent Playing
- When a Partner Feels Left Out
Learning and Growth
Skills, study and career alongside play.
Learning and Skills
- What Play Can Teach and What It Cannot
- Carrying Skills Into Everyday Life
- Coordination and Spatial Awareness
- Creativity and Building in Open-Ended Play
- Deliberate Practice: Improving on Purpose
- Language and Vocabulary Through Play
- Learning From Failure and Trying Again
- Patience and Persistence
- Problem-Solving in Strategy and Puzzle Play
- Teamwork and Communication in Cooperative Play
Study and Career
- Balancing Gaming With School or a Career
- Burnout and Recovery
- Getting Through Exam Season
- Procrastination and Play
- Remote Work and Play at Home
- Reward or Escape: Why You Start a Session
- Talking About Play Experience in Interviews
- Thinking Realistically About Gaming Careers
- Time Management for Students Who Play