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Lighten Stress, With The Help of Video Games

Contents under Pressure

Everybody is under pressure. Everybody gets pissed off every now and again, and sometimes it’s just too difficult to take a deep breath and get on with your day. I had a few troublesome days or weeks with my workload in high school, especially after I got a part time job during the school year. I needed something that could help me take my mind away from all this pressure that I was under, and I came up with a fairly decent idea: video games.

Video games have always been a part of my life – I was raised in the 1990’s for Christ’s sake. I’ve always enjoyed playing games, and they always seemed to make me smile a little more when I found a good one to play. So with all the stress that I’ve been dealing with, I figured that playing games was a plausible way for me to lighten my stress levels, and have fun at the same time.

What sorts of games?

This is an important question. I’ve found that playing games can only be relaxing (most of the time) while playing a single player game. Generally, when you’re playing a game over the internet with folks, you sometimes run into the sorts of people who have the potential to ruin your day with whatever means necessary. I find these people are generally attracted to first person shooter games, like counter strike for example. Frustration levels can only get higher when you get your but kicked in multiplayer – and it doesn’t help if you get cursed at by some 13 year old with a microphone at the same time. That’s something you would want to avoid I would think! I would also avoid real time strategy multiplayer. It’s really disheartening when a nuclear launch is detected 5 minutes into a Star Craft game.

In addition to single player, you’ll preferably want a game with an engrossing story. I can say from personal experience that playing a game with a decent story is a lot more entertaining than playing a game without one, for sure. in addition to being more entertaining, a better storyline offers the opportunity for you to lose yourself inside of the game world. I find this is important for stress relief, because it sort of takes you away from your troubles (temporarily), and allows you to relax. This becomes more difficult with a sub par storyline. You’ll also want a game that is easy to play, frustrating controls or character movement is an instant turn off for most gamers. Some games are more difficult than others, and the potential for frustration varies from game to game. It’s important that you don’t allow yourself to get frustrated while playing, so you’ll want to avoid games that potentially have the ability to make you pissed off!

If you really feel it’s necessary, multiplayer is an option. I, myself, would avoid it though because more often than not I usually get my butt kicked, and as I mentioned before, sometimes the folks who are playing with you aren’t always the courteous type. For stress relief, I’d stick with single player. Alternatively, you could find a group of close friends who would be willing to play as well. Playing multiplayer is always a better experience when it’s people you personally know, rather than some kid with a microphone that sounds like Oliver Twist, but talks with a vocabulary that hints at his being raised by a group of inconsiderate sailors.

Guidelines!

When playing games with the purpose of lightening stress here are some things you want to look for:

• Single Player
• Great Storyline
• Easy Controls
• Small Learning Curve

Of course those are just some guidelines. As you play more games, you start to pick up on certain things in games that you enjoy more than others – and that’s fine. Personally, those are things that I look for when I’m trying to find an enjoyable game. As for the unenjoyable, lets look at some things
you should avoid:

• Multiplayer!
• Bad Storyline
• Potential for Frustration
• MMORPG games

Woof!

All in all, games can be a good form of stress relief. If you follow my guidelines, you should be on your way to relaxation. Of course, you can’t just avoid work and hide behind a controller (or mouse). Games shouldn’t take the place of your priorities, so make sure you only play in moderation, but most importantly have fun.

If you find the right game that allows local multiplayer, and you have some extra controllers, this can not only turn into an exercise for yourself, but also your entire family. Watching your mom play something like guitar hero is always good for a laugh.

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