If ever there was a time to catch up on that shameful backlog of video games that you’ve been building up since forever, it’s now. It can’t have escaped your attention that we’re in the middle of a global pandemic, with the overwhelming advice from experts around the world being to remain indoors and slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) so we can fight it.

It’s a weird time, and I imagine a lot of you are stressed or nervous or upset. For whatever it’s worth, it all be alright in the end. We just have to ride this out together and focus on the positives of staying at home – because there positives. One such positive is that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has actually advised us all to stay in and play games.

That’s right – the one thing our parents hated us doing when we were growing up is now a doctor-approved way to save thousands of lives. Take that, mum and dad. I’m gonna hide in my room and play for ten hours. Not for me. For the .

Okay, so there was a little more to the advice than that, but I take my wins where I can get them. WHO recently held a media briefing on the best way to handle coronavirus, with a number of recommended actions individuals can take to get through this trying time. One of the crucial things to remember is that we have to look after out mental health over the coming weeks.

WHO general director Tedros Adhanom said it’s perfectly normal to feel stressed, confused, and scared right now. He advised that we talk to people we trust, and even help others in our community. Supporting those in need can help you as much it would them, he reasoned. So definitely be sure to check in with neighbours, family, and friends. While observing lockdown rules, of course.

Adhanom added that we should also “listen to music, read a book, or play a game,” which is the bit I can really get on board with. In fact, I’d imagine most of us are more than happy to accept these particular doctor’s orders.

The numbers speak for themselves, after all. Steam has broken its concurrent player record twice in the past few weeks, is hitting incredible numbers, and Xbox boss Phil Spencer has remarked on “an unprecedented demand for gaming”.

If you’re not sure what games to stuck into over the next few weeks, we’ve got you covered. We’re more than happy to recommend relaxing games that’ll chill you out, open world games to lose yourself in, all the free and cheap games you can get your hands on right now, and the games you can play with your kids to keep them entertained.

Just don’t forget to spend time outside every day though – exercise is still important, eh? You can read Adhanom’s full statement on the WHO’s official site – and remember: This will pass, so try not to worry and just take this as an opportunity to get stuck into some games.