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

That is right – there are such things as stress reliefgames, which promise to help you with managing your stress levels. Stressrelief games are a viable option for relieving stress, and this includes bothindoor and outdoor games. Although this method is not supported by research, itis highly recommended by most stress management programs.

Outdoor games take the form of tennis, football orbasketball, and works similar to exercise. It is a great way to relieve stressand 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 tospend as much time. These include chess, computer games, or mind puzzles suchas crosswords and sudoku.

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

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

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

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