Using Stress Relief Games for Stress Management

Stress and pressure are constants of life that we cannot
escape from. In every aspect of our lives we face different problems that pose
as stressors to us. As such, people from all walks of life search high and low
for activities or things that can reduce the immense stress in their life, one
of them being stress relief games.

Stress refers to the tension and pressure from the conflict
between the external environment and yourself, resulting in physical and
psychological reactions. There are many ways of relieving and managing stress
levels, ranging from the extreme to the not so. Medication, alternative
treatments, therapy range on the extreme, whilst relaxation techniques,
laughter and even stress relief games range on the not so extreme.

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That is right ? there are such things as stress relief
games, which promise to help you with managing your stress levels. Stress
relief games are a viable option for relieving stress, and this includes both
indoor and outdoor games. Although this method is not supported by research, it
is highly recommended by most stress management programs.

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Outdoor games take the form of tennis, football or
basketball, and works similar to exercise. It is a great way to relieve stress
and unwind, and serves as a useful and healthy outlet for day to day worries.
Through exhaustive physical game play, the stress hormone levels are decreased.
Indoor games are of course, a lot more convenient, and do not require you to
spend as much time. These include chess, computer games, or mind puzzles such
as crosswords and sudoku.

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If outdoor games are similar in function to exercise, than
indoor games are similar to meditation or relaxation techniques. By focusing on
the game, the mind is able to move away from the stressor and this will help it
to relax. The game also allows for the expression of altered states of
emotions, ensuring intense involvement.

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That said, that are many games available online for free,
and it can be difficult to choose the appropriate game. There are a few
guidelines to keep in mind when picking your game, to ensure that you reap the
full benefit of engaging in the game. Firstly, the game should be suitably
challenging, but should allow the player to win with ease. This promotes a
sense of success and will increase confidence.

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Secondly, it is important to pick a game suitable to each
individual. Certain people relieve stress through physical exertion or
expression of anger, and it is preferable to pick games that allows for them to
vent their emotions without any actual physical or emotional damage to
themselves or others. Suitable games would be those that involve some measure
of violence. Of course, games which have negative effects should be avoided,
such as those with high violence content and a high level of difficulty.

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In general, studies have found that the incorporation of
stress relief games at work reduces stress levels, and result in better
relaxation. Whilst only a few studies support the use of online indoor games in
stress relief, it is the general perception that such games are highly
effective and useful for short term and immediate stress relief.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Greg Frost is a leading innovator in the field of Stress Relief and the director of http://www.HowToRelieveStress.org which specializes providing a whole range of stress relief topics to improve the quality of your life