I've seen some threads on here before about Animal Crossing and mental health, but a media psychology researcher just made a video about why ACNL can help with mental health! It's well-researched and while I wish some of the text was a little easier to read, I thought it was a great video.
ACNL and Mental Health
- Thread starter stiney
- Start date
All things can be taken to unhealthy extremes. 
I kid though.
For me, I try to mostly let stuff happen as it will in the game. Letting go and dealing with the serendipity makes the game more enjoayble for me. I did do a plot reset recently and I found it so annoying to lay down all the tiles and then creating the new characters I'm not sure I will again. This is in marked contrast to a lot of the rest of my life, by the way, I often suffer from perfectionism.
I kid though.For me, I try to mostly let stuff happen as it will in the game. Letting go and dealing with the serendipity makes the game more enjoayble for me. I did do a plot reset recently and I found it so annoying to lay down all the tiles and then creating the new characters I'm not sure I will again. This is in marked contrast to a lot of the rest of my life, by the way, I often suffer from perfectionism.
All things can be taken to unhealthy extremes.
For me, I try to mostly let stuff happen as it will in the game. Letting go and dealing with the serendipity makes the game more enjoayble for me. I did do a plot reset recently and I found it so annoying to lay down all the tiles and then creating the new characters I'm not sure I will again. This is in marked contrast to a lot of the rest of my life, by the way, I often suffer from perfectionism.
I wish I could play the game more casually like I did with the first Animal Crossing. The strive for a perfect town takes away some from what makes the games so special and adds a bit of stress. It's completely self inflicted though, I realise that.
As someone who has suffered from depression for a long time, I'm glad to see that the game can be beneficial for people with mental health problems. Has it helped me? I dunno. Maybe? It's definitely a relaxing and positive game. Even with the odd plot resets. lol
carackobama
Celeste stan account
I saw this video a while ago and it resonated with me a lot. As someone who struggles with mental illness to the point where I currently cannot work, AC has been a huge saving grace for me lately and has helped me so much. I'm so grateful for this series <3
pawpatrolbab
🌈Always be yourself☀️
Animal Crossing has helped me massively with mental health, it's actually the reason why I've started playing again. It gives me friends to talk to since I don't have any that I get to see frequently IRL, maybe once a month if I'm lucky. I used to try and have a perfect down but I find just playing the game to play it is much more rewarding
I definitely agree with all the points made in this video because I know New Leaf has affected me positively in many aspects! 
I used to have depression years ago, but I found that New Leaf helped me escape from it and helped me reflect a lot more (the video mentioned self-expression/presentation which really hit home to me). 
I also have found that the positive benefits of New Leaf & other Animal Crossing games channel to TBT because everyone here is very friendly from my experience and reflects how special the AC community is compared to other video game communities out there! That is why TBT is my internet home community per say because it truly is special here and I have met so many amazing people here along the way too!
I used to have depression years ago, but I found that New Leaf helped me escape from it and helped me reflect a lot more (the video mentioned self-expression/presentation which really hit home to me). I also have found that the positive benefits of New Leaf & other Animal Crossing games channel to TBT because everyone here is very friendly from my experience and reflects how special the AC community is compared to other video game communities out there! That is why TBT is my internet home community per say because it truly is special here and I have met so many amazing people here along the way too! 
Great video! AC has helped me through a very rough period in my life as well. While things around me had constantly been stessing me out, disappointing me, or changing up in real life, my town was always a place to come home to. I'm so glad other people seem to find comfort in it too.
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