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Tetris relieves stress, a recent study says
Most people think video games drain the brain, and electronic entertainment bears the blame for a myriad of problems, including (and not limited to) laziness, obesity and teen violence. A recent report from Oxford University says otherwise – saying that playing the addictive game Tetris can help patients suffering from traumatic stress syndrome.
Researchers found that playing the popular game shortly after a traumatic event helped them wipe out bad memories. About 40 volunteers waited for half an hour, one half of the group played Tetris for 10 minutes and the other half did nothing. The group who played the game experienced fewer flashbacks than the control group the following week.
The researchers used Tetris because moving the colored blocks uses a large portion of the brain and competes with other things requiring brain resources – in this case, bad memories.
The team at Oxford is not sure other games would work in the same manner, but we say otherwise. Click to see 15 other games that will help you kick back and relax.
Reader Comments (56)
I can not believe I am reading this. I had a terrible pregnancy and was sick for the full 9 months. The only thing that helped me was playing Tetris on my cell phone!! It was the stangest thing that I could not explain. I relaxed me and I would not feel as sick to my stomach.
A tetris game that I play often is called cultris. You can get a copy over at cultris.ath.cx
Tetris and Bejeweled are THE top 2 relaxing games there is. I remember playing these 2 games a lot and feeling relaxed afterwards.
I wouldn't call Lego Star Wars relaxing. Just because it's not a "hardcore game" doesn't mean that I didn't want to throw my controller on some of those levels.
i see some people here have the "Tetris Effect". its when all you see even if your not playing is little blocks in your head haha not kidding i get it with some games but have had friends thought there were playing tetris in there sleep and such.
PEGGLE FTW
Ha tiger woods relaxing?. Im sorry but i can get pissed tiger woods. I can get just as stressed playing that game, as i do really golfing.
The iPhone game "Topple" (much like Tertis) with its quirky expressions of the jelly like pieces -- should be right up there with those. I recall being free in the AppStore.
WNS why don't you go join PETA and play with your dogs and go help old people and clean up their poop... you don't like games? fine well some of us do so **** off
>>sadiemae1214 on 1/26/2009 4:19 pm I DON'T KNOW ABOUT TETRUS BUT HOME VIDEO GAMES IN GENERAL HELPED MY SON. HE WAS DIOGNOSED WITH ADHD IN 1985 AT THE AGE OF 7 AND