Getting Lost in Imaginary Worlds
To get lost in far-off imaginary worlds is not zoning out or avoidance, but a therapeutic favourite for many of us.
Whether you’re:
A painter using brush strokes to show us shimmering starlight illuminating creatures of a distant planet.
A writer inside the mind of a crazed soul and his murderous plots.
A gamer with your palm reverberating as a thunderous sword swipe clangs off golden, dragon scales.
A sculptor creating creases in a god born out of pure imagination.
Each of the above can be a mindful meditation. Deep and engrossing. Helping to let go of tensions, acquiring a new skill or creating an emotion we wish to experience. Once we’ve completed the journey we feel a sense of fulfilment.
Today we’ll follow a path well signposted. A game with over 60 million copies sold worldwide. Skyrim – a behemoth of innovation and creativity.
Whilst much has been written about the negatives of video gaming, I’d like to show why I believe that active involvement with certain types of video games can enhance positive psychology.
The Positive Psychology of Skyrim – Exploring Well-Being Through Tamriel
“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” was released in 2011, and it has become a social and cultural phenomenon, a contemporary classic in the video game universe.
Set in the enormous and richly detaileded world of Tamriel, Skyrim offers players a very immersive experience that goes well beyond just entertainment.
Through its open-world design, complex storylines, and interactive game mechanics, I believe that Skyrim can provide many psychological benefits that improve wellbeing and foster personal growth.
This blog explores the positive psychology of Skyrim, taking a look at how the game contributes to players’ mental health and overall life satisfaction.
Immersive Escapism
One of the most notable aspects of Skyrim is how it allows players to take an immersive break from reality, from the everyday world where stress and responsibilities can sometimes be overwhelming.
For instance, Skyrim allows players to step into the shoes of a Dragonborn, a hero who is destined to save the world. This escapism can be therapeutic, as it offers a temporary reprieve from the challenges of everyday life.
Players can lose themselves in the vast landscapes, intricate quests, and rich lore of Tamriel, which can lead to reduced stress and anxiety.
Also significant is the control and agency that players experience in Skyrim. In contrast with the uncertainties of real life, in the game, players can make meaningful choices that have a transformative impact on the world around them.
This can generate a sense of accomplishment along with satisfaction, fostering positive psychological states.
Sense of Achievement and Master
Skyrim is filled with quests and challenges that require players to acquire skills, solve problems, and overcome challenges.
Whether that’s slaying a dragon, completing a complex quest, or mastering a new skill, players experience a sense of achievement that can significantly boost their self-esteem. The game’s levelling system rewards players for their efforts, providing tangible evidence of their progress and mastery.
This sense of achievement is linked to the psychological concept of self-efficacy, or one’s belief in his or her ability to succeed in specific situations.
As players move through Skyrim’s quests, they develop a confidence in their abilities that can transfer to real world situations.
The abilities that are developed through problem-solving within the game, strategic thinking, and perseverance – can help a player to be more resilient and more capable of dealing with things outside the gaming environment.
Exploration and Curiosity
Skyrim’s open world is so immense that it evokes a sense of exploration and curiosity among the players. You can roam the mountains, investigate the ancient ruins, and uncover hidden secrets at your own pace.
This sense of exploration not only satisfies the natural human tendency of curiosity but also promotes intrinsic motivation, where people do things for their own sake and not for external rewards.
Exploring Skyrim is full of opportunities for serendipity – discovering a hidden quest, stumbling upon a beautiful view, or encountering a unique character. These experiences can create feelings of wonder and appreciation for the world and encourage a positive outlook.
The game encourages us to appreciate the journey rather than focusing solely on the destination, a lesson that can lead to increased overall happiness and wellbeing.
Social Connections and Community
In addition to its single-player game, Skyrim has also cultivated a vibrant community of players who share experiences, tips, and creations.
Online forums, social media groups, and streaming websites have allowed fans to connect on the basis of their shared love of the game. This sense of community can be particularly helpful for people who might otherwise be isolated in their daily lives.
Social interaction with the others who share similar interests can improve well-being through the sense of belonging and connection.
Whether through discussing lore, sharing fan art, or collaborating on mods, such social interaction can build players’ social skills and provide emotional support.
The camaraderie in the Skyrim community can be a buffer against loneliness, furthering positive mental health.
Emotional Engagement and Storytelling
Skyrim’s engaging narrative and character-driven quests allow players to relate to the story on an emotional level.
The game features a variety of characters, with their own backstories and agendas, allowing players to empathise with them and become connected. Completing these storylines has the potential to provide players with a sense of purpose and meaning, as they navigate moral decisions and make choices that impact the world.
The emotional engagement in the story can also lead to a catharsis – a release of pent-up emotions that can be healing.
The players tend to be invested in the fate of their characters and the world that they are a part of, which can lead to powerful moments of introspection and character development.
This emotional journey can improve self-awareness and insight into oneself and others.
Mindfulness and Presence
Skyrim encourages presence and mindfulness within its world. The idyllic scenery, calming ambient sounds, and real-time weather systems of the game create an immersive setting that calls for players to be present and focused.
From watching a sunset over the mountains to simply absorbing the sounds of nature, these moments can encourage mindfulness – a state of focused attention on the present moment.
Practising mindfulness in gaming can be a form of meditation, allowing the players to relax and recharge.
This mindfulness practice can reduce stress, improve focus and concentration, and improve overall mental well-being.
By slowing down and taking in the beauty of Tamriel, the players can cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the world around them.
Personal Growth and Identity Exploration
In Skyrim, players have the freedom to create their own character, choosing their race, appearance, and skills.
The character customisation allows for players to explore and how they express their identity and personality. Players can experiment with different play styles, mora choices, and character directions, providing a safe space for self-discovery.
This aspect of Skyrim can be especially helpful for younger players, as it allows them to examine their own values and beliefs in a low-stakes environment.
The game offers an outlet for players to express their creativity and experiment with different facets of their personality.
Working through these themes can promote personal growth and resilience as players learn more about themselves through the decisions they make in the game.
To Finish Up
Skyrim’s positive psychology is multifaceted, incorporating aspects of escapism, achievement, exploration, social connection, emotional engagement, mindfulness, being in the flow, and personal growth.
Through the experience of playing the detailed world of Tamriel, the players can experience a range of psychological benefits that can lead to better mental well-being.
While gaming has to be balanced with real-life responsibilities, Skyrim is representative of how video games can also be a powerful tool for personal development and emotional health.
Through becoming engaged with the game’s vast universe, players are able to feel joy, find meaning, and a sense of belonging, with the ultimate aim being a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
As we continue to explore the field in which gaming and psychology intersect, Skyrim is a shining example of the positive role that video games can play in our lives.