Updated 17 November 2021
The
COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of us to make changes to our daily routines
and spend more time at home. Lockdowns have made it difficult to get our daily
dose of exercise and social contact. But
staying active and connected to our
loved ones is more important than ever, especially for our physical and
mental health.
In
order to help inspire millions of online gamers to lead an active lifestyle and
look after their mental health, WHO has encouraged online gaming companies to
invite their users to take WHO’s #HealthyAtHome challenge.
For example, Spring 2021 saw the
launch of Yoga Season on the popular Gardenscapes game from Playrix,
encouraging players to stay active, boost their energy and health by doing
exercise and meditation.
Fall 2021 brought a new initiative
for World Mental Health Day. The characters from Playrix's Homescapes and
Gardenscapes reminded players about the importance of taking care of their
mental health by reducing stress, supporting loved ones, and fostering and
maintaining social contacts.
"We're
thrilled to be participating in the WHO's #HealthyAtHome challenge,” said Maxim Kirilenko, Chief Business Development
Officer at Playrix. “Our games
have feel-good storylines that help people from all over the globe take a break
from the challenges of daily life and alarming headlines in the news. I'm sure
Austin and our other characters will inspire millions of our players to take
part in the #HealthyAtHome challenge."
“We welcome efforts by the online gaming companies,
such as Playrix, to encourage their large online communities to take the necessary
steps for better health and well-being,” said Andy Pattison, Team Lead of
Digital Channels at the World Health Organization. “We need to continue to
reach people with lifesaving health messages where they are, in the palms of their
hands.”