Nowadays, many people spend most of their time working that they sometimes forget to take the time to have fun. If you're one of them, then you might find yourself wanting to take a break once in a while. If you don't have the time or money to go to amusement parks or take a trip to someplace new and exciting, then you can just play right in the comforts of your own home. Computer games are fun and can help you relax after a long day at work. Want to try out different computer games, video games, or online card games? Then check out iPlayground, a website that will help you choose from different online games. Go ahead and indulge yourself in your own virtual playground. Whether you prefer browser games or massive multiplayer games, you'll surely find yourself in a better mood after you've released your stress and relaxed for a while by playing computer games.
Different types of computer games
There are various kinds of computer games, and it's up to you to choose what appeals to you. It can be just one or a couple of these:
* Life simulation games - These games will enable you to live a virtual life or control it. Types of life simulation games include pet-raising simulation, biological simulation, and social simulation. Pet-raising simulation games have gained in popularity because of the Tamagotchi, and there are now various versions of this on the Web, like Neopets. Biological simulation is pretty much an educational package, and social simulation games are ones like The Sims.
* Shooter games - If you opt for playing shooter games, then your aim would be to shoot enemies using your mouse or keyboard. Kinds of shooter games include rail shooter games, tactical shooter games, first-person shooter games, and third-person shooter games. When playing shooter games, you can be part of a team or just a single player shooting enemies down. Some examples of shooter games are Revolution X, Star Fox, Halo, Half Life, and Counter Strike.
* Strategy games - Unlike the other types of games mentioned above, strategy games require strategizing. When playing strategy games, your success will be dependent upon your planning skills and how you will execute your plans. You would have to think of tactics and make sure that you achieve your goal. Strategy games include StarCraft, DotA, Gunbound, and Master of Orion.
* Arcade games - Arcade games are usually short but consist of many levels. You can play for as long as your character survives and is able to continue on with the game. There are now many arcade games featured in various game websites. Car racing games are just one example of arcade games.
* Action games - Usually preferred by males, action games are packed with lots of action. Although males are usually the ones choosing to play these games, there are also some women who enjoy playing these as well. Popular action games include Resident Evil and The Legend of Zelda.
Benefits of playing online games
There are people who view playing online games as a waste of time. But if you do it to de-stress and relax yourself, and if you don't spend too much time in front of the computer just to play, then these games are more likely to do good than harm. You may be an adult with responsibilities and practical pursuits to attend to, but it's nice to let your inner kid out once in a while, especially when you need a time out from the demands of adulthood. Just make sure that you don't get addicted to playing these games and that they don't negatively affect your productivity, and you'll be just fine.
When was the last time you played? I mean really played. Not in an organized game or on a computer screen or with a drink in your hand, but break-loose kind of play -- spontaneous, imaginative, unrestrained. Enjoying the freedom you felt as a kid, when nothing seemed impossible and make-believe made dreams come true.
If you've lost this sense of play in your life, maybe it's time to recapture it. Maybe it's time to give yourself over to your play instead of to your work or your relatives or to whatever has a hold on you.
But how is this possible in our deadline-driven, high-performance culture? Who's got time to play? And honestly, how is it possible to play as an adult in a free-form kind of way? It's not what grown-ups do. You'll look foolish. You'll feel stupid.
Risk Looking Foolish
In a class I teach, called Writing Your Own Permission Slip, I always give the assignment to make up a new way to play and write about it. The responses to this assignment are fascinating. Some people cringe at first. They don't know how to play. Their imagination is under lock and key. They think they'll ?look foolish? or ?feel stupid.? Yet every student has come up with something new that felt like fun and provided a sense of genuine pleasure. One woman did something as basic and silly as spending time getting acquainted with her toes, exploring them much the way a baby does ? like something brand new. She truly delighted in this simple experiment. Another woman made up a treasure hunt for a friend to follow. She hide a series of clue messages in a large public sculpture garden, duct-taping each of them underneath or inside the huge structures. Both she and her friend laughed heartily at this comic adventure.
I also like to experiment with new ways to play, For years, I had wanted to roll down a hill like I had done so often as a child. I wanted to experience again the thrill of hurtling over and over ? out of control. The idea seemed like a fun fantasy until one day I spotted the ?perfect? hill inviting me to fulfill this dream. I walked around it for a long time and kept looking to see if anyone was watching (I might look foolish!). Finally I let myself have the fun I had been wanting to have. I lay down and pushed off. When I reached the bottom of the hill, I felt a little sore and a little dizzy, but I had a big grin on my face. At 55, I had quit letting ?looking foolish? stop me and felt the freedom of rolling down the hill with abandon.
That's the secret ?playing with abandon. Creating with abandon. Letting make-believe and a sense of adventure lead the way.
After my hill-rolling, I came home with lots of energy and a fresh sense of excitement about tackling my to-do list. In fact, I now felt as if I could just play my way through the rest of the day.
Three Ways to Play
Do you play your way through your day? If not, why not begin now? Here are three ways to get started:
1) Create the intention to have fun.
A man I once interviewed told me that most people aren't happy because they don't intend to be. There's something to that. Your day is more likely to be fun if you plan for it to be. Even if you're not thrilled with what's on your agenda, decide to have as much fun with it as possible. Find a way to see it a humorous light. Sing a silly song while you do it. Look at it upside down. A child can have fun with almost anything. So can you.
2) Take play breaks during the day.
Stop for a moment between meetings and toss a (soft) ball against the wall a few times. Make funny faces in the mirror while you're in the bathroom. Do anything (without jeopardizing your job or relationship) that allows you to ?let loose.? You'll feel more relaxed and refreshed when returning to your ?duties.?
3) Smile.
Sounds simple enough. But stress can make us all become scowlers in a hurry. We forget to turn up the corners of our mouths. Even a forced smile, when done with a sense of humor, can help lighten your mood. If you're feeling too stressed to smile, you could try doing some exaggerated frowning for a good long while until you tire of it and eventually find a smile emerging. Sometimes we need to give our difficult emotions room to play (pun intended) before we can lighten up.
Want to play more? Go ahead. You'll have a much more enjoyable day. And guess what? You'll also have a more productive one ? and probably be more fun to be around.
Both Ms. Lewis & Pat Samples are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ms. Lewis has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Travel and Leisure and Jewelry. Joseph Garner is a sales professional. He usually spends a part of his free time playing online games as a way of relaxation.check out our site at . Ms. Lewis's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.
Pat Samples has sinced written about articles on various topics from self improvement and motivation. A free newsletter and teleseminars by Pat Samples on inspired living, body wisdom, and fearless aging are available through