Depression has by far been the most silent threat to human health. Surprisingly, depression can take various forms and hence no two people’s experiences are the same. It is easier to treat people with depression at the earlier stages rather than giving it space to develop. Once a person hits the stage of severe depression which usually happens over a couple of weeks of mild depression, it becomes very difficult to help him/her come out of it. It is therefore necessary to nip it in the bud.

The hot topic of discussion these days is Pokemon Go, a location-based augmented reality mobile game that has startled the word with its increasing fan base and has kindled the enthusiasm of people across the world. Estimates of the number of Pokemon Go daily users range from 9 to 21 million people and this user base is increasing day by day. With this sudden technological proliferation, a lot of interesting topics are being discussed across various platforms. One such discussion is about the mental health benefits that this game has been offering to its widespread users.

Pokemon Go has been encouraging people with mental health issues to spend time outdoors, which has in turn boosted their mental well-being. Many users who have been suffering from anxiety and depression have reported that Pokemon Go has given them a much-needed push to get out of the house and spend time outside doing something that’s fun, which they don’t do normally. They get to interact with a lot of people which is one of the easy ways to get a person out of depression. A lot of psychologists across the world feel that this game has really revolutionized the world and has been showing a lot of positive effects on people’s mental health. The main reason for depression in people is the fact that they tend to stay aloof from the rest of the world and this lack of interaction with the society leads to this illness in the long run.

It is however advised by experts that this game can be enjoyed in a healthy way only by giving a specific time limit (say 30 minutes a day). During this time, you will inevitably meet a lot of people and this exposure by itself creates a refreshing effect subconsciously.

All is fine, till such games don’t become the only way a person can interact with the world. It is good to engage in other outdoor activities like gardening or cycling to maintain the balance between the real world and virtual world.

Reference:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/07/19/can-pokemon-go-really-improve-your-mental-health.html