Stress relief games, how useful are these? Well, negative emotions and fatigue would sometimes creep up on you while you are working or studying. Statistics show that almost 75% to 80% adult workers experienced moderate to high levels of stress, with 1 out of 75 people even getting panic attacks.
Up to 80% of people are stressed while managing their daily activities and this is particularly true in China. Other studies found that video games provide stress relief in work-related fatigue, and games that require focus but don’t incorporate competition help stimulate the parasympathetic system, which activates the relaxation response.
According to Dr Jamie Chiu, a psychologist who studied the cultural differences of stress between Asians and Westerners, Chinese culture places a strong emphasis on pride and shame and mental illness is seen, more so than elsewhere, as a weakness, and this weakness is taken to be ‘shameful’ and nobody wants to talk about it. Asians tend to bottle up everything instead of dealing with it. But she added that although stress gets a bad reputation, it is actually an important element in our life as it makes us feel motivated.
Appropriately dealing with stress is the way, and one of the ways to deal with stress is to use stress relief games to help you manage your anxiety and frustrations. Here are the top 10 stress relief games that we recommend, and most of them have been designed with pleasant aesthetics, soothing sounds and simple ways of playing to relax the mind and body.
Top 10 Recommended Stress Relief Games
Bubble Wrap
Bubble Wrap is a game that let you press some bubbles with your fingers and make them explode. It will help you remove destructive emotions and frustrations and also help you kill time.
There’s an option to pop the bubbles for as long as you want, or opt for a scaled-down version which takes a shorter time.
Bubble Wrap is available in a range of colours and bubble sizes, coupled with pleasant sounds to make the entire experience better.
Drop 7
Drop 7 is a free iOS and Android puzzle game that needs focus, quick counting and reflexes. All it needs for you to do is to drop the numbered circles into columns and rows that contain the same number of circles.
There could be a minor learning curve to figure out how it works, but once you get that, the rest should be smooth-sailing and stress-relieving.
Neko Atsume
Neko Atsume, a cat collection game where you place treats and toys in your home’s yard and wait for adorable kittens to show up and start hanging around, is one of the most popular stress relief games around. Why? Well, I’ve tried it myself and I must said that there is something addictive about figuring out which cats like which toys, and when rare, new cats that goes by cute names like Joe DiMeowgio or Chaiman Meow turned up in your yard, it’s always a wonderful surprise!
Now available on iOS and Android.
Colour Break
Colour Break is a digital painting platform that let you use your fingers or a stylus to relish an amazing variety of patterns, helping you to forget your stress and worries.
This stress reliever game has an unlimited number of colours for you to use, and you can even share your work with friends via email.
Personal Zen
Personal Zen is an iOS app specially created with the help of neuro-scientists, and it has been clinically proven to help people battle emotions and exercise the brain for better wellness.
According to the researchers who worked on the app, it is good for those suffering from stress or emotional frustrations to play Personal Zen a few times a week, and for about 5 to 10 minutes each time, though the longer you play, the better it will be on your mental well-being. This game trains your brain to concentrate on positive things in your life and block out the negatives and distractions.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley (1 or 2), a visually pleasing indie puzzle game, let you navigate through optical illustration puzzles with bold, simple colours. The player leads the main character princess Ida through brightly-coloured mazes of optical illusions, ever-changing architecture and impossible objects while manipulating the world around her to reach various platforms.
Calming effects come in the form of its gentle music, chimes and beeps if you make correct moves and you will definitely enjoy the exhilaration and joy in solving each level.
Find it on iTunes and the Google Play store.
Paper Toss
Paper Toss is a casual mobile game to play whenever you feel absolutely exhausted at work and need to get away for a while. It’s basically a game that let you take a crumpled piece of paper, roll it into a ball and throw it into the rubbish bin, but all on your mobile phone.
You can keep track of the number of rubbish that reached the trash bin. With 7 levels of difficulty, stunning graphics and great office simulation sounds and environment, coupled with comments from angry co-workers, it’s time to take a break!
Available on both iOS and Android.
Home Sheep Home
Home Sheep Home is a fun adventure game that let you control Shaun the Sheep from Wallace and Gromit.
At each level, you are tasked with helping Shaun, Shirley and Timmy reach the farm and overcome many obstacles such as a rope swing or hay bails. Each sheep has a different use. For instance, Shirley is heavier than Shaun (medium size) and Timmy (tiny size) and can knock over large objects.
With great music, fun gameplay and adorable animals, how can you not relieve your stress by playing this game? So start downloading, and start working on how to get the three sheep over to the barn using swings, see-saws, ramps, steps, switches and more!
This game is available on the web browser and iOS. Find out more about Home Sheep Home here.
Pigment – Adult Colouring Book
Pigment is an adult colouring book to relax your body and soul. You can also unleash your creativity while learning how to draw, sketch, paint, design and colour with this mobile app.
Explore a digital studio filled with a vast array of painting tools such as brushes, pencils, markers, special effects tools and a selection of easy-to-use fill tools that allow you to finish colouring within minutes. There are also more than 4,000 colouring pages filled with florals, mandalas, portraits, animals, comics, Disney characters and more, all created by our featured artists, and you will never get bored! And if you do get bored, you can just import your own drawings and photos.
Alto’s Adventure
Alto’s Adventure is a 2015 endless runner snowboarding video game by Snowman. Join Alto and his friends as they embark on an endless snowboarding journey across beautiful alpine hills, neighbouring villages, ancient woodlands and long-abandoned ruins.
You’re basically a snowboarder riding through beautifully crafted snow scenery, collecting coins and making huge jumps, for example.
The main character which you controls will move to the right and you, the player need to tap the screen to jump and perform tricks, working towards more than 180 goals and obstacles, rescuing runaway llamas, grind rooftops, leap over terrifying chasms and outwitting the mountain elders.
Original music and beautiful graphics such as full dynamic lighting and weather effects that include thunderstorms, blizzards, fogs, rainbows, shooting stars and more will definitely help you de-stress.
Check it out on iOS or Android.
Other Stress Relief Games You Can Also Try
There are a couple of other stress relief games such as Relaxing Puzzler, Crisp Bacon, Hearthstone, Silk, Word Search Pro 2019, Quick Draw, Happy Glass, Choices and more. Different people might prefer different kinds of stress relief games to help them; my own stress relief method has been an endless stream of cooking games on Android.
Desktop Stress Relief Games
We normally face the most stress at work, and it is inevitable that we will need some forms of release. Besides doing some self-meditation or breathing techniques after a stressful meeting or interview, you can also place a few stress relief games such as the following on your desk to rid yourself of your anxiety.
Mini Basketball Shooting Game
A basketballer when you’re off work? Now you can bring your hobby to work with this super-cute mini basketball shooting game! Place one on your desk, and tap at it every time you need an inspiration or just need a break from work! Giving it to a co-worker or a spouse is also a great idea!
Magic Magnetic Cube
This magic magnetic cube is perfect for any kids or adults, who can use it as a stress relief game. When feeling stressed or anxious, break it apart, and watch your spirits soar as you start to build it together again! Trust us, it’s therapeutic! Get it now!
Mini Casino Jackpot
This cute little casino jackpot toy will be your constant companion if only you’ll let it! Pull the handle, and watch it play, relieving your stress and anxiety or put a few in your drawer, only choosing to give one to your co-worker when you sense that they’re having a hard day at work. It works to boost everyone’s energy and spirits!
We all face stress, tension, frustrations and anxiety throughout our days. Do remember that everyone needs a break, as this not only gives you a moment to reflex on your thoughts and calm down, but it can also help you refocus on what’s most important in your life. So go ahead, try one of the stress relief games above and let us know whether it helps!
