Kerbal Space program wasn’t on the list, and maybe OpenTTD? The latter is also great when you have a random setup (the game is 10Mb, runs in anything and has zero needs) and have only 20 minutes to play.

I’m gonna go with Forza (Assetto Corsa also works to a lesser extent). Sure the focus of the game is on racing, but it can be extremely relaxing to hop into any car you want from any era and just take a cruise and look at the scenery

Dave The Diver: you run a sushi restaurant and go diving to catch fish. The writing is quirky, it’s full of interesting characters and there’s no time limits except for some events. I’ll spend days just fishing for the restaurant instead of doing any “story stuff”. I picked a steam key on CDkeys for £7 and I can already see myself pouring 40 hours in this thing if I want. The trailer if anyone is interested

rarely, i like to play a fluffy, feel good game with no real stakes. enter: Flynn, Son of Crimson

there is absolutely no chance of anything really bad happening in the game, the worst that happens is your powerful guardian diety dog loses his powers at the beginning of the game (but it’s OK, he just rests until you reclaim his powers and he feels better). you never really feel like anyone is really in danger, you get to play a pretty fun 2d action platforming game, and it has some really fun sections later on that make you feel awesome

it wraps up nicely in probably 20 hours too, if you want to 100% it, so it doesn’t overstay its welcome and lets you experience all of its content with low demands. really a lovely little experience. it’s not pushing the envelope at all, but if you want basically 20 solid hours of lighthearted fun, this is a great way to get it

I find Widelands to be slow and relaxing; but also challenging and engaging.

Pokemon Emerald: I used to play it a bunch to escape reality. Now my mind just associates it with safe spaces. It never fails to cheer me up when I hear the ost or see pokemon from that gen. Only bad part is that I can’t play for longer than 20 mins without feeling so cozy I fall asleep.

Guilty Gear Strive: Strangely relaxing once I got a hang of the controls. I just play a few rounds against the AI for a pick-me-up. Not sure if it’s still uplifting at higher levels.

Muse Dash: The music and cutesy artstyle are so overwhelmingly positive, it’s hard to stay negative when you’re in the zone and grooving.

I’m playing factorio with my friends two days straight and we plan to keep playing, it was years since I could play for so long with them, normally I start to fell bored and hang up, but i’m 14 hours in and stil want to play more!

Wandersong: that game has so much character, it’s insane. The game can feel very emotional without heavy themes, idk how it did it.

i harp on it a lot, but Outer Wilds helps me a lot. It teaches the value of exploration, curiosity, friendship, compassion, and patience. it’s a deeply melancholic piece, which can be frustrating and obtuse at times, but just remembering it makes me happy. the soundtrack brings all the memories back every time.

Celeste!

It’s about overcoming internal struggles to achieve something. (something I’m still fighting with in real life, bad place mentally here too.)

Listening to the soundtrack always makes me feel a bit better though.

It’s cute, fun, and challenging (although never difficult in a frustrating way)

It Takes Two! I played it with my partner and really enjoyed the story and very imaginative game play.

• Freshly Frosted - Puzzle game. Seriously, I don’t remember the last time I felt so encouraged by the narrator. If you’re in a bad mental state, I do recommend this one.

• Lost in Play - Two siblings go on an adventure through a fanciful wonderland of their imagination…or is it?

• Spiritfarer - A chill management game where you’re Charon ferrying souls to the Everdoor. This one deals with death and saying goodbye to loved ones, but it does so in a very thoughtful and sensitive way. It definitely changed my paradigm.

• A Hat in Time - Cute 3D action platformer. Silly fun.

• Little Inferno - Despite its simplicity and obvious satire of consumerism/Capitalism, this has a very cozy feel and fun characters.

• Tinykin - Adorable collect-a-thon platform puzzler with no enemies, only obstacles.

• Gorogoa - Puzzle game with an interesting story that unfolds with each puzzle.

• Doronko Wanko - You’re a cute doggo making a house as messy as possible.

• Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People - Fun, silly point and click. I also recommend the show.

Stardew Valley is a good fit.

You tend to your farm, help people, maintain relationships with people by gifting them and changing their lives.

Unfortunately, i play the game like a maniac. Running around from morning 6 AM till 10 PM.

A year or so ago I replayed Bastion during a particularly bad time. It’s very atmospheric and chill despite all the action and combat.

Sorry to hear things are rough for you. I hope whatever is causing it improves!

Mine is an odd choice, or maybe not, but its the first thing that came to mind: Night in The Woods

It’s about a girl that comes home from college to her old dying town. I know that doesn’t sound terribly uplifting, and there’s some downer stories mixed in there, but overall I found it a very heartfelt and uplifting game, because the main character’s friends are the most wonderful bunch of people, and you hang out with them and go on little adventures throughout. It’s got a cool creepy mystery story going on, but the game is mostly about deep friendship, family, and overcoming struggles with their help, and I found that very uplifting and worthwhile.