Pokémon Go: The self-help app you never expected
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the new mobile app from developers Niantic—Pokémon Go. It’s brought our favourite world of Pokémon and thrown it right into our realities in a neatly packaged little AR app. Whether you’re a veteran Pokémon Master or a total beginner, it’s totally accessible to you and totally fun. And the unexpected part? Totally beneficial to your health—physical and mental.
Pokémon Go has you set on your own journey to be the very best and catch them all, in your own world. You wander around and catch Pokémon on your very own streets, houses, work, etc and pass frequent PokeStops allocated to any remotely noteworthy area as well as Gyms ready for you to battle and take over. A genius app for any fan, but what people didn’t expect was it to make them healthier, happier and generally feel better about life.
I’ve had Pokémon Go a few days and already gone for more random long walks than I have all year. I’ve tried countless Fitness apps and different motivations to get me outside more—both to lose weight and to help my depression—none of which worked, and here comes along this simple little game that has achieved months, even years, of attempts in a couple of days. I do not like walking and when I’m in a low mood getting out of bed is the last thing I want to do, but now I find myself itching to go out a few times a day!
I’ve had Pokémon Go a few days and already gone for more random long walks than I have all year.
And it’s not just me, there’s been lots of people praising the game for its positive effects. I’ve started talking to a group of friends a lot more through playing the app, I spend more quality time outside on walks with my boyfriend whilst having a blast catching Pokémon, I’ve even learned more about Stirling and its history through the PokeStop descriptions since playing than I have in my three years of being here! And it’s just the right amount of childhood silliness that we need to hold on to.
Let’s face it, you’re going to be glued to your phone when you’re out and about anyway, get Pokémon Go and catch your favourite Pokémon while you’re at it whilst improving your body and mind’s health.
