The Games I Play When I Can't Sleep

I have insomnia. Not every night, but often enough that it's a problem. I used to just lie in bed for hours getting frustrated, watching the clock, getting more anxious about not sleeping. Then I discovered that certain games actually help me relax enough to sleep. Not all games though - some wake me up more. Here's what works for me.

I know screens before bed aren't ideal, but for me, the benefit of calming my racing thoughts outweighs the blue light issue. When I can't sleep, my brain is going a million miles an hour. I need something to interrupt that cycle, and calm games do that better than anything else I've tried.

What Kind of Games Help - The Perfect Balance

The right games for sleep are calm but engaging enough to stop my mind from racing. Too exciting and I'll be wired. Too boring and my anxious thoughts come back. It's a delicate balance.

I look for games with slow pacing, calm music, no time pressure, and simple mechanics. Nothing that requires intense focus or quick reactions. Just something peaceful to do with my hands while my brain winds down. The game should be engaging enough to occupy my mind, but not so engaging that it keeps me awake.

I've tried a lot of different games, and I've learned what works and what doesn't. Action games? Absolutely not. Competitive games? No way. Fast-paced puzzle games? Too stimulating. But slow, methodical games? Perfect.

Puzzle Games with Soft Music - My Go-To

Gentle puzzle games work great. The kind where you're matching colors or solving simple logic problems. Nothing too challenging - I don't want to get frustrated trying to solve something difficult at 2 AM. That would just make things worse.

The repetitive nature is actually helpful. Your brain has just enough to focus on that you stop thinking about everything else, but it's not stressful enough to keep you awake. It's like a gentle mental exercise that tires your brain out in a good way.

I have a few specific puzzle games I rotate through. They're all similar - simple mechanics, no time pressure, calming visuals. I know them well enough that I don't have to think too hard, but they still require enough attention to quiet my racing thoughts.

The key is finding puzzles that are just challenging enough to be engaging, but not so challenging that they frustrate you. If I get stuck on a puzzle, I'll just move to the next one. The goal isn't to solve everything - it's to calm down.

Games with Calm Visuals - Aesthetics Matter

I've found that games with peaceful colors and smooth animations help a lot. Bright flashing lights obviously don't help with sleep. But soft colors, gentle movements, calming backgrounds - that stuff actually relaxes me.

There's something about watching simple shapes move smoothly across the screen that's almost meditative. Especially games with water themes or nature backgrounds. I have one game that's just about arranging flowers, and it's incredibly soothing.

I avoid games with harsh colors, sudden movements, or jarring visuals. Those wake me up instead of calming me down. The visual design of the game is just as important as the gameplay when it comes to sleep.

I also turn my screen brightness way down. Most devices have a night mode or low-light setting. I use that, and it makes a big difference. The screen is still visible, but it's not harsh on my eyes.

No Competition, No Timers - Zero Pressure

Competitive games wake me up. Anything with a countdown timer stresses me out. I need games where there's no penalty for taking my time or making mistakes. The last thing I need when I can't sleep is more pressure.

The point isn't to win or beat my high score. The point is to have something calm to focus on until I feel sleepy. Pressure defeats the whole purpose. If I'm worried about losing or running out of time, I'm not going to relax.

I also avoid games with achievements or goals that feel urgent. I want games where I can just play without any sense of obligation or pressure. The more relaxed the game feels, the better it works for sleep.

Why It Works - The Science Behind It

When I can't sleep, my problem is usually that my brain won't shut up. It's thinking about work, stuff I need to do, conversations I had, random worries. Playing a calm game interrupts that cycle.

Instead of lying there getting more anxious about not sleeping, I'm focused on simple, peaceful gameplay. It's like counting sheep, but less boring and more effective. The game gives my brain something concrete to focus on instead of all the abstract worries.

I think part of why it works is that it's a low-stakes activity. There's no pressure, no consequences. I can just play and let my mind relax. The repetitive, simple nature of the games I choose helps lull my brain into a calmer state.

It's also a form of mindfulness, in a way. I'm present in the moment, focused on what I'm doing right now, not worrying about tomorrow or replaying today. That present-moment focus is exactly what I need to fall asleep.

What About Blue Light? - Managing the Trade-Off

Yeah, screens before bed aren't ideal. I turn my brightness way down and use a blue light filter. My phone has a night mode that makes the screen more orange-toned, which is less stimulating than blue light.

For me, the benefit of calming my racing thoughts outweighs the blue light issue. But everyone's different. If screens keep you awake no matter what, this obviously won't work for you.

I also limit how long I play. Usually 15-20 minutes is enough. If I'm not sleepy by then, I'll try something else. I don't want to be gaming for hours - that defeats the purpose.

Some nights I don't need games at all. But when my mind is racing and I can't sleep, games help more than anything else I've tried. The key is finding the right games and using them appropriately.

My Routine Now - What Actually Works

When I can't sleep, I don't fight it anymore. I sit up, dim the lights, and play a calm game for 15-20 minutes. Usually by then I'm actually tired instead of just lying there being tired but wired.

It doesn't work every single time, but it works way more often than just lying there frustrated. And even when it doesn't make me sleepy, at least I'm doing something relaxing instead of stressing about not sleeping.

I keep a few specific games on my phone just for this purpose. They're all calm, simple, and familiar. I don't have to learn anything new or think too hard. I can just play and let my mind relax.

If you have trouble sleeping, try it. Just make sure you pick actually calming games, not exciting ones. The goal is to wind down, not to have one more level turn into two hours of gaming. Set a timer if you need to, and stick to it.

Sleep is important, and if games help you get it, that's valid. Don't let anyone tell you there's only one "right" way to fall asleep. Find what works for you, even if it's unconventional.