Cozy Gaming: Using Comfort Games to Relax, Reset, and Decompress
A follow-up to “Why Video Games Feel So Good: Gaming, Flow State, and Mental Health”
By: Cody Currie, LCSW
Welcome Back (Or Welcome In)
Oh, hello! Welcome back if you read my last article—and welcome if you didn’t.
In the previous blog, we talked about gaming and the importance of achieving flow. Quick refresher:
Flow is a state of optimal experience where you’re fully absorbed and immersed in an activity.
Flow happens when:
- the challenge is engaging
- but not so hard that it becomes discouraging
- and when you can regulate your emotions well enough to stay present
We also talked about how gaming can support mental health by helping people decompress, focus, and feel good after a long day.
That brings us to today’s topic: cozy gaming.
What Is Cozy Gaming (and Why Does It Work)?
One popular form of gaming—and the focus of this article—is cozy gaming.
Cozy gaming emphasizes:
relaxation
minimal pressure
repeatable tasks
and tangible progress
These types of games are especially helpful after a long day when your brain just doesn’t want to work that hard anymore.
Personally, I break cozy gaming into two categories:
- Games you make cozy
- Games that are designed to be cozy
Both can be incredibly effective coping tools.
Comfort Games: Games You Make Cozy
I call games you make cozy comfort games—because you’ve turned them into that.
These are usually:
- games from a different time in your life
- games you’re already good at
- games with high replayability
- games tied to positive memories
Mine include:
- Madden 08
- NCAA 2014
- Grandia
- most Pokémon games
All of these connect to different memories for me.
Grandia is a role-playing game from 1997 that I got when I was about four years old. It was a pretty complicated RPG, and I couldn’t read yet—so yeah, that was a challenge. But I’ll always remember the feelings of triumph that came with playing it.
Pokémon has been a constant in my life, and I’ll probably always love it.
So honestly—dust off some old games and relax. There’s a good chance your brain already knows exactly how to settle into them.
Games That Are Designed to Be Cozy
Now let’s switch gears to games that are made to be cozy.
A common example here is Minecraft. You can turn off enemies, build whatever you want, and explore without worrying about getting blown up by a creeper. It’s great for all ages, and focusing on building structures can be incredibly calming.
If you’re on PC, head to Steam and search by tags like “cozy” or “relaxing.”
This genre has exploded in popularity, and you’ll have no shortage of options.
Simulator Games: Cozy, Predictable, and Surprisingly Soothing
Another big cozy category is simulator games—and there’s a simulator for just about everything.
My absolute favorite?
Pressure Washer Simulator.
There’s something incredibly soothing about sitting back, pressure washing a giant structure, and slowly watching it become clean—especially while you’re watching a favorite show or eating a good snack.
Other examples include:
Supermarket Simulator
Card Shop Simulator
American Truck Simulator
If you’re curious but don’t want to commit financially, check out Twitch. You can watch someone play and get a feel for whether it’s your thing.
Low-Intensity Adventure Games
Adventure games can also fit into the cozy category—as long as they’re not overly intense.
These games:
move at a slower pace
allow exploration
don’t demand constant reaction time
They can still induce flow while giving your brain a break from heavy stress.
And honestly—there’s never a bad time to be cozy.
Games to Check Out
Below are some cozy or comfort-leaning games. I’ve split them into ones I’ve played personally and ones that are popular or highly reviewed.
Games I’ve Played
Pressure Washer Simulator
American Truck Simulator
Card Shop Simulator
Animal Crossing
Minecraft
Stardew Valley
Balatro (challenging, but still relaxing—this one’s a tweener)
Popular or Highly Reviewed Cozy Games
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Kabuto Park (warning: bugs)
Town to City
Final Thoughts
Cozy gaming isn’t about avoiding challenge—it’s about choosing the right level of challenge for where you’re at mentally.
Some days you want to push yourself.
Other days you want something familiar, predictable, and low-pressure that lets your brain breathe for a bit.
Both are valid. And both can be part of a healthy coping toolkit when used intentionally.
This is something I work on with clients often—figuring out what actually helps them decompress, reset, and feel more balanced. Sometimes that includes gaming. Sometimes it’s about learning when to switch gears, take a break, or choose a different kind of game altogether.
If you’re curious about how gaming fits into your mental health—or you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or overwhelmed—I’m happy to help you sort through it. Counseling can be a space to figure out what works for you and build coping tools that actually fit your life.
If you’re interested in scheduling or learning more, feel free to reach out and connect.
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