Title: 
Play Some Games To Escape The Game

Word Count:
678

Summary:
Life is like a game, which means that every so often, people need to take some time out to stop playing the game. Oddly enough, sometimes, the best way to take your mind off the game of life is to play a completely different game.


Keywords:
stress relief, mental health


Article Body:
Life, in many ways, is just one big game full of challenges and pressures. Of course, as with any game, there are rules and guidelines that need to be followed to the letter. Naturally, as with any game, there are going to be those players who will need to find a little release every now and then from the pressure and grind.  But it is not just the top-caliber athletes who need to unwind.  Normal, everyday people also need to find some relief from the struggles of life.  Indeed, stress relief is something that everyone has to delve into on a semi-regular basis, if only because it helps maintain our mental health.

There are already a number of ways by which to get some stress and anxiety relief. Some people have suggested that exercise is an effective form of stress relief. Others advocate green tea as an incredible stress relief drink. However, for those who are seeking alternative ways to lower their stress levels, they might want to take a lesson from professional video game testers, who, play video games for a living yet encounter the same kind if not a higher level stress at work.

Of course, there are certain things that need to be considered if this stress relief approach is what you plan on implementing. There are factors that you might want to consider in this scenario, which can also help you narrow down what sort of game you'd be better off playing. Some of the factors you might want to consider are as follows:

1.	The free time you have.
2.	The prospective costs of the game.
3.	Availability in your home or place of work.
4.	Whether or not said game can add to your stress and anxiety, rather than alleviate it.

With the above factors in mind, now comes the time for you to consider your many options. The world is full of games to be played, some of which might work for you and some might work better on others. This part really comes down to personal preference, but it is advisable for you to have at least some working knowledge of the options in front of you.

The first option would be sports. There are various sports out there that combine the benefits of stress relief and physical exercise. If you decide on playing a team sport, you might also develop new social contacts. However, sports can sometimes be time-consuming and are rarely a viable option for people who have jobs that demand they be on the move most of the time. The potential mental health consequences notwithstanding, playing sports is best reserved for those who have weekends off, or don't need to be in location A Monday and in location C or D by Thursday.

Another option would be board games and card games. Games like gin rummy, monopoly, poker, and chess can be great ways to let off some steam. Some of these games even sharpen some of your mental skills at the same time, adding to their benefits. Just make sure not to overdo it, or to engage in competitions for those games, as doing so may cause stress rather than relieve it. There is a definite time requirement for this, though not nearly as consuming as what is required in most sports. If you're going with card games, all you'll need is a complete deck of cards, some cash for wagering, and a few friends who know how to play.

Finally, if you've got the cash and the inclination to do so, there are also video games. Now, some genres of video games are more effective stress relief than others. Role-playing games like the “Final Fantasy” series being both time-intensive and, thanks to their detailed plots and well-designed characters, bordering on being an emotional investment, so you'd best avoid them. Games that make for great stress relief for a person can often come down to individual preferences, with some preferring the 'blood and gore' approach of games like “Unreal Championship,” while others prefer the calmer stylings of “Super Mario Sunshine.”