For many young people, downtime has become strangely exhausting. Even moments meant for relaxation are often filled with scrolling, notifications, and a lingering sense of pressure to be productive. But new research suggests that relief from burnout may come from an unexpected—and deliciously familiar—place.
A recent study published in JMIR Serious Games reports that classic games such as Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi, can provide more than just entertainment. By rekindling a sense of childhood wonder, these games increase happiness and help protect young people from burnout.
The findings add to growing evidence that emotional well-being does not always require a structured health regimen. Sometimes it can all start with a game.
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How familiar games help you get rid of burnout
Burnout often seen as a consequence of overwork, but the emotional story is more complex. It includes weariness, cynicism and a sense of joy squeezed out of everyday life. According to a new study, classic games can disrupt this pattern by creating moments of genuine emotional renewal.
Study participants described Super Mario Bros. games. and Yoshi as fun, comforting and deeply nostalgic. These games reminded them of a time before the constant academic pressure and expectations of adulthood. For many students, the game provided a rare mental break and a space where the stakes were low and fun was easy.
The study found that these feelings are not just trivial. Players who experienced a stronger sense of childlike wonder while playing also reported greater overall happiness. This happiness was associated with a significantly lower risk of burnout. Importantly, the analysis showed that happiness fully explained the relationship between surprise and reduced burnout.
Rather than being a distraction, these games functioned as what the researchers called “digital microenvironments”—brief, accessible spaces that allowed for emotional reset without adding pressure.
How Researchers Linked Classic Games to Happiness
To understand why these games resonated so strongly that the research team took a mixed-methods approach. They conducted in-depth interviews with university students, asking them to reflect on their gaming experiences, emotional reactions and stress levels. Many students described gaming as uplifting and mentally refreshing, especially in the always-on culture that shapes modern student life.
The researchers then conducted a broader survey to test whether these personal findings held true on a larger scale. The survey confirmed that greater feelings of surprise while playing games are associated with greater happiness, and greater happiness is associated with less burnout.
Fighting Burnout with Video Games
The study is one of the first to identify children's wonder as a psychological pathway linking everyday play experiences to mental wellbeing. This suggests that familiar games may offer a uniquely effective form of emotional relief, especially for young people who have limited time and energy.
“This study shows that the path to combating burnout in young people may lie not only in traditional wellness, but also in reclaiming joy. Games like Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi can be a powerful antidote to the cynicism and fatigue associated with burnout,” author Andreas B. Eisingerich concluded in his book. press release.
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