Jane McGonigal on SuperBetter: Using Games to Build Resilience and Improve Health

The Power of a Gameful Mindset

• 💡 Games are not a waste of time; they can help develop skills like creativity, determination, and resilience.
• 🎯 A game is defined as an unnecessary obstacle that we choose to tackle, pushing us to use our strengths.
• 🧠 Video games, in particular, can calibrate to a player's difficulty level, fostering continuous learning and improvement.

Personal Recovery Through Gaming

• 🤕 Dr. Jane McGonigal developed the game "Jane the Concussion Slayer" to aid her recovery from a severe concussion.
• 🚀 This gameful approach helped her overcome depression, fatigue, and headaches by activating optimism and determination.
• ⚠️ She highlights that suicidal ideation can be a symptom of traumatic brain injury, emphasizing the importance of understanding and not believing such thoughts.

SuperBetter: A Gameful Approach to Life

• ✅ SuperBetter is a set of seven rules designed to live life by, focusing on power-ups, quests, and battling "bad guys".
• 🤝 Recruiting allies is crucial; friends can help activate power-ups, strategize battles, and even assign quests.
• 📊 Studies show SuperBetter significantly improves symptoms of depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy.

Applying Game Mechanics to Real Life

• ⚡ Power-ups are temporary boosts that enhance physical or mental energy, such as watching videos of baby animals.
• 🎯 Quests are daily goals aligned with personal values and priorities, helping individuals move towards their objectives.
• 💥 "Bad guy battles" involve confronting difficult experiences or feelings head-on, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Broader Health Benefits of Gaming

• 🧠 Visually engaging games like Tetris can help prevent PTSD symptoms by occupying the brain's visual processing center.
• 🎮 Games like "Remission" help young cancer patients understand and adhere to chemotherapy schedules, leading to better treatment adherence.
• ❤️ A gameful mindset can be applied to various health challenges, including sleep issues, chronic conditions, and even end-of-life care, fostering strength and optimism.