Best Video Games for Stress Relief

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Is it true that video games can reduce stress?

Stress is something that everyone encounters and it usually comes with feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety, frustration and fear. According to research, video games are one of the effective methods to cope with stress.

1) Sadness is a type of emotional pain which we commonly see as associated with sorrow, disappointment, disadvantage, loss, despair, grief, and helplessness.

2) Anxiety is the uneasy feeling that comes with uncertainty, it is associated with feelings of worry, nervousness and uneasiness.

3) Fear is the unpleasant emotion we are threatened with harm, pain or danger. The best way to manage fear is to confront the source of the emotion according to psychologists.

4) Frustration is an emotional state of being annoyed or upset when something is not going is planned and feels beyond your control.

5) Anger is a strong feeling of displeasure and annoyance that usually results from provocation.

We have for you several games available that can help you cope with these negative emotions and they are available for PC and consoles.

1) TOP 5 GAMES TO FIGHT AGAINST SADNESS

Fall Guys Ultimate Knockout

Fall Guys is a high-spirited game with ambient sounds, colorful gameplay, wacky and customizable characters, and an all-around joyful experience. All of these are therapeutic components of fighting away sadness.

Gang Beasts

What makes this game perfect for easing your sadness is that it doesn’t take itself seriously. Gang Beasts combines fun, wacky and competitive gameplay. This will surely turn your frown upsidedown.

Overcooked 2

Overcooked 2 is a really fun game especially when you can call a couple of friends to play with you. This is a game that is a masterpiece in itself, turn up that fire and cook your sadness away.

Splatoon 2

Splatoon 2 is an amazing game to cheer you up! The concept and gameplay are simple yet fun. The graphics are bright and merry and the competitive and cooperative gameplay are addicting. With all the fun that you are having, you might forget that you are sad.

Super Mario Party

Super Mario Party is a game that you definitely need to play if you are feeling down. Players are sure to have a great time with all the different game modes available and each one is sure to lift up your mood.

2) TOP 5 GAMES TO FIGHT AGAINST ANXIETY

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a great game against anxiety because of the freedom and control that the game gives you. The game is low risk and free-spirited and you have complete power over your story’s outcome in the game.

The Sims 4

The Sims 4 is a social simulation game that lets you control the flow of the gameplay. Those struggling with anxiety will feel safe and free playing this game as every interaction can be managed without anything troubling or traumatic near you.

Minecraft

You have complete control over a lot of the characteristics in the game Minecraft which is perfect for those with anxiety. There are a lot of mods and modes available for everyone. You are able to play the game in the way you like.

Abzu

Abzu offers a visually stunning world that can melt your anxiety away by just looking at it. Combined with the game’s nature with no strict rules, no competitions and no hazardous conditions, you are able to free your mind from all the anxiety that is weighing it down.

Everything

Hop into a world where you are able to play as anything you want in the universe. There are no restrictions and boundaries, all you have to do is to be yourself without any worries or judgment. You will are sure to lose those feelings of anxiety in Everything.

3) TOP 5 GAMES TO FIGHT AGAINST FEAR

Dead by Daylight

Overcoming your fear means you have to face it! That is exactly what you have to do in Dead by Daylight. You are able to play as a survivor which brings you in a situation of constant fear. Eventually, you will overcome it and hopefully in general, be less fearful.

DOOM Eternal

DOOM Eternal is a game that will put you in constant fear because of all the monsters that are constantly coming after you. With the lot of them coming in hordes, and you being able to kill most is not all, then you realize that there is nothing about them to fear. The game will give you a life lesson in beating your fears.

Resident Evil 2 Remake

Resident Evil 2 Remake is a game that helps players deal with fear by exposing them to a lot of frightening circumstances. Players are being forced to confront enemies by either evading them or killing them. The game trains your mind that although you are scared, you must still think logically and remain functional.

Remnant: From the Ashes

Remnant: From the Ashes is a challenging and terrifying game up until you get to understand what your enemies are. Your take away from the game is that you don’t have to fear anything as long as you are prepared and armed with knowledge.

Dying Light

Dying Light brings players to extreme conditions that don’t compare to real-world problems. Set in a post-apocalyptic environment, you are forced to face things that no one should! Overcoming the game will hopefully give you the confidence to deal with fears in real life which seems small as compared to what you’ve gone through in the game.

4) TOP 5 GAMES TO FIGHT AGAINST FRUSTRATION

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley offers a relaxed gameplay that will lessen your feelings of frustration. There are no set win conditions and just little tasks that you can complete and move on to the next. This gives your mind a sense of mini accomplishments that lessens your frustration.

flOw

A simple and beautiful game coupled with relaxing atmospheric music, flOw can melt your frustrations away even for a moment. The game can calm you down as it feels more like a therapeutic exercise rather than a game.

Gris

Gris offers a game with a captivating art style and ambient background music that you would just want to sit back and watch its story unfold. Everything about the game is so relaxing your frustration will just slowly melt away.

Donut County

Donut County lets you play as a hole, and unexpectedly the game feels very satisfying. You get to move around as a hole swallowing everything and anything. As all those objects fall into oblivion, so will your frustrations. Try it out, satisfaction is guaranteed.

House Flipper

House Flipper is a truly addictive game, most possibly because of the satisfaction you get from solving the problems that come your way. The gameplay is slow-paced and very satisfying, an ideal game to free you of your frustrations.

5) TOP 5 GAMES TO FIGHT AGAINST ANGER

Grand Theft Auto 5 

Grand Theft Auto 5 offers a controlled place for you to express your anger! Once you blow of some steam, you’ll feel much better!

Marvel’s Avengers

Marvel’s Avengers is the closest feeling that you get to be superheroes. Get to free up some rage by beating up the bad guys as one of your favorite heroes.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare brings you to a battlefield that forces you to redirect your feelings of anger into something productive. The game shares a great life lesson where in which you could use your anger to something beneficial.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 offers two different ways to deal with your anger. First, you can hop on your horse, and go on long peaceful rides until you forget what triggered your anger in the first place. The other way of dealing with your anger is to go on exhilarating gun showdowns with your enemies. Whichever way you choose, Red Dead Redemption 2 will melt your anger away.

Sea of Thieves

The sea clams a lot of people, so although the sea in the game Sea of Thieves is just simulated, the same calming effect can still be felt. The long voyages are relaxing, letting you reflect on life. But if you need to deal with your anger, sink some rivalships, hopefully, your rage will go down with the sinking enemy ship.

Studies do show that video games are one of the better ways of coping with stress. But this doesn’t mean that video games are the solution to mental health issues and are also not permanent solutions to relieve stress. Hence, video games are only recommended to be used in moderation as a coping device since the short term positive effects are addictive. Players who are experiencing mental health issues are strongly advised to ask for professional assistance or treatment.