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Casual Games Scientifically Proven to Relieve Stress

April 29, 2008 in News comments 10

Casual games can be fun to play, but did you know they can help you relieve stress? According to a study at East Carolina University, casual games have therapeutic applications that address mood- and stress-related disorders. The games that were used in this study were Bejeweled 2, Peggle and Bookworm Adventures, all made by PopCap games.

Bejeweled 2 was found to reduce stress activity by 54% compared to the control group. Peggle and Bookworm Adventures did not reduce subjects' physical stress levels significantly but did affect psychological tension, depression and other aspects of mood, in some cases dramatically.

Peggle had the greatest affect, improving mood by 573% across all study subjects - with Bejeweled 2 at 435% and Bookworm Adventures at 303%.
Tyranitar24 via games.ign.com »
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  • 1
    Synergized Apr 30, 08
    I don't think games like Bejeweled will relieve stress, for me, personally because you might get angry due to the fact that you can't match/line-up the jewels or whatever, but I do believe that games in general, help relieve stress. For example, you can take out your anger on some homeless guy in Grand Theft Auto.

  • 0
    TurMoiL911 Apr 30, 08
    I personally find hack-and-slash games like Dynasty Warriors to be a great stress reliever. Nothing can be more relaxing than taking otu your anger on hundreds and hundreds of nameless peons with a giant sword or spear.
  • 0
    The Don Apr 30, 08
    Bejeweled?! Haha, I get more stressed playing that game because I'm constantly rushing to find the same jewels! I find sport games help me relief stress even when the pressure is on, I maintain calm and chill.
  • 0
    Seeker X Apr 30, 08
    I think this is more like...mothers who are stressed out taking care of their children can occasionally play games like "Bejeweled" to calm themselves down.
  • 0
    Final Blade Apr 30, 08
    I find Hack and Slash and Violence games a stress reliever for me. Especially GTA4(now), its just so fun
  • 0
    Ameer Apr 30, 08
    Counter-Strike: Source is very liberating for me; it's always fun taking down people online, and it makes a bad mood better again.
  • 0
    Scott 1 Apr 30, 08
    I agree Bejeweled 2 could relieve stress, but that's only if you're winning. When I run out of moves, that just makes me annoyed.
  • 0
    Zeon I May 1, 08
    I think I'll pop in me Monster Hunter and go apeshit on some Aptonoth and Kelbi before I play Bejeweled, thank.
  • 0
    black doom May 1, 08
    Slamming level nines off walls in Melee does it for me (stupid PAL).
  • 0
    R1DDL3S May 1, 08
    I think those "easygoing" games don't relieve stress unless your winning, when you start losing you just want to chuck your system at the wall

    Personally, shooters do all the work for me

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