5 Relaxing Games That Help Reduce Stress
- Leia Emeera
- Aug 9, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 8
Feeling down and looking for stress relief activities to unwind?
Stress relief is important to maintain your mental and physical well-being. As daily life and work can get more demanding and lead to burnout and anxiety, taking your time to unwind after a long day could help you improve your focus, emotional balance, and creativity.
There are many activities to manage stress, and ultimately, what works best depends on you. Approaches to stress relief include meditation, spending time with loved ones, exercising, or engaging in hobbies—like gaming.
Table of Contents
Why Relaxing Games Can Help Relieve Stress
Reaching for your controller or launching Steam is something many look forward to after a long day. But why?
When you choose the right games that are designed to help you actually relax, your physical body and mind will receive positive reactions, such as:
A release of the feel-good chemical, dopamine.
A meditative experience, which leads to a flow state.
A vessel for creativity and art – an age-old method to de-stress.
A focus away from real-world worries.
An experimental virtual world for creativity and strategic thinking.
A way to promote relaxation.
5 Relaxing Games Recommendations
Here are our picks to relieve stress with gaming:
1. Puzzle Games: Superliminal
Initial release date: November 12, 2019
Genre: Puzzle Video Game, Walking Simulator, Adventure
Platforms: macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Android, iOS
Developer: Pillow Castle Games
Playing puzzles can be one of the activities to manage stress. Moreover, puzzle–relaxing games create a sense of accomplishment, release dopamine and refine focus—but how does the latter help reduce stress? To put it simply, when your brain is set on trying to figure out a solution to something, it is distracted from the negative external forces one may face.
Superliminal is a great stress relief game if this genre is up your alley. Instead of traditional puzzles where players would have to match up colours or shapes, Superliminal plays with optical illusions, forced perspectives and physics. Its premise surrounds a main character who is partaking in a dream study. But the dream loops, and players are stuck in a seemingly endless cycle. The goal of the game is to wake up.
This de-stress game is played in first person, with a unique mechanic central to gameplay. Essentially, to solve otherwise impossible puzzles, players must change the sizes of objects they pick up. If you hold an object far away—making it look smaller due to perspective—it shrinks. The game scales items to sizes that players last viewed them as.
2. Cosy Games: Frog Detective
Initial release date: November 22, 2018
Genre: Adventure, Comedy
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
Developer: Worm Club, Thomas Bowker, Grace Bruxner
Cosy games are a broad genre in the industry. It could be a farming game, a management simulator, or a city builder, but ultimately, these calming games are designed to be relaxing—they have low stakes, cute graphics, and little to no violence. It’s perfect for a person who wants to immerse themselves in a world outside reality.
In Frog Detective, players play as an endearing anthropomorphic frog. It’s set on a small island, with light-hearted characters and cheerful visuals. Despite the name of the game, there isn’t much mystery-solving to be done.
Do simple tasks, explore the map, and speak to quirky residents. You cannot die or lose—while you do have an overarching goal, the main takeaway from this relaxing game is to be engrossed in the lively world of Frog Detective.
In the first game, the Frog Detective gets a call from their superior about the appearance of an apparition on an island. So, the Detective sets out with their trusty magnifying glass to the haunted island. Your objective is to find the ghost, if there really is one, by meeting several people and collecting trinkets. This game is suitable for you who are looking for stress relief activities.
3. Indie Game: Dinkum
Initial release date: July 14, 2022
Genre: 3D open-world RPG
Platforms: Microsoft Windows (PC)
Developer: James Bendon
The best therapy can look like having a dream home with a big, lush garden on an island inspired by the Australian outback. You can roam through the tropical landscapes, embark on an adventure in the forest, and discover charming wildlife inspired by Aussie.
Dinkum is a survival life simulation game that will now be fully released by 2025, as its 2022 version was an early access. Similar gaming styles to Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, this game achieved commercial success with positive reviews, particularly for its design and replayability.
To gather resources, you can start hunting, mining, fishing, and foraging to attract new businesses. Though this could sound like a lot of activities, this can still be a great candidate for the relaxing games category, which helps you unwind and cool your mind whenever you need to be grounded and present. A cosy, stress-relief game after a long day.
Relevant article: 5 Games that Undertake the Theme of Mental Health
4. Cute Game: Tsuki Adventure
Initial release date: 2018
Genre: Story-based adventure
Platforms: Android, iOS
Developer: HyperBeard
If you are looking for a casual mobile game that is both fun and relaxing, making it easily accessible to play, this game is perfect for you. In Tsuki Adventure, you will join Tsuki on a new journey to discover the beauty of the countryside and appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Previously, Tsuki was lonely and stuck in a stressful job, but everything changed when a letter from Tsuki’s grandfather arrived, leading to a new beginning.
You will accompany Tsuki on various adventures, from fishing with Yori the fox and reading books with Chi the giraffe to enjoying a delicious bowl of ramen made by Tsuki's good friend, Bobo the panda. Playing this game helps you become more mindful, cherish every moment, and appreciate the little things in life.
A similar plotline to Stardew Valley, but instead of pixels, it’s a pleasant, soft-coloured 2D asset as you venture through the rustic Mushroom Village. Escape into a slower, gentler pace of life, just like Tsuki in this game.
5. Comedy Games: Earthbound
Initial release date: August 27, 1994
Genre: Japanese role-playing game, Adventure game
Platforms: Super NES, Game Boy Advance
Developer: HAL Laboratory, Ape, Inc.
Laughter can be the best medicine for stress. It’s been researched extensively, proving to improve mood, stimulate organs, improve circulation and, more specifically, reduce stress hormones. Levels of cortisol fall when you laugh!
Earthbound is an offbeat JRPG. It’s a classic in the genre, praised for its art direction and writing. Moreover, it’s subversive and humorous while dealing with themes of nihilism and inner disturbances.
This stress relief game takes off when a meteor lands by one of the four main characters, Ness. You learn that you must collect eight melodies from sanctuaries around the world to harness enough power to defeat the universal cosmic destroyer, Giygas.
Part of the Mother series, its humour lies in its absurd world and absurd situations, in which characters are nonchalant too. The video game breaks the fourth wall and doesn’t take itself too seriously—yet it doesn’t go overboard, making the humour in the game feel relaxed and unforced.
Gameplay-wise, Earthbound doesn’t stray too far from traditional 2D Japanese role-playing games—combat is turn-based, exp is awarded after battles and you can put points into player stats. This classic is perfect for someone who seeks a good laugh, alongside solid gameplay and story.
Bonus: Classic Games – Why Not?
Puzzle Game: Candy Crush Saga
Initial release date: April 12, 2012
Genre: Puzzle game
Platforms: App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store, Windows, macOS, Linux
Developer: King
Well, what could be a better choice for a relaxing game than Candy Crush Saga? This legendary game offers match-3 puzzles that are easy and fun to play anytime.
Loved by millions of people around the world, this colourful, yummy-looking game offers a trillion levels that you can enjoy while de-stressing from work or taking a break in between. With cheerful background music, you can find the best combinations of candies to rise to another level.
Classic Game: Bejeweled (Series)
Initial release date: In 2000
Genre: Puzzle game
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Windows Phone, Windows Mobile, Mac OS X, iOS, Android, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Wii, Java ME, Adobe Flash, Palm OS, Symbian^3, PlayStation Vita, Online, Arcade
Developer: PopGames
This is another classic match-3 game that you can play whenever you want. Available on many platforms since it was first released back in 2000 for browsers, one of the series comes in 6 different modes; you need to do gem-matching, from the fast-paced, time-based Lightning to the gem-driven Flushes.
However, the best mode to help you relieve your stress is the Zen mode. This mode comes with subliminal positive affirmations, breath modulation, and even different visual and sound effects, with a unique soundtrack. In Zen mode, there are no Bomb Gems, Doom Gems, or Locked Gems that will appear during play. Only the planetary backdrops appear during the game.
What Makes a Game Relaxing
Stress relief games can be subjective to individuals. Either it has calming aesthetics, low-stakes gameplay or even gives a sense of escapism. However, what makes a relaxing game is this:
No Time Pressure
The freedom to play at your own pace is relieving and relaxing. With nothing that could trigger your stress and anxiety, games that don’t set timers or stakes are one of the key ingredients for de-stressing games.
Predictable Outcomes
Repetitive tasks or challenges that engage the brain without causing frustration are games meant for relaxing. It usually comes with activities that let players collect or organise items in ways that they want.
Easy to Achieve Goals
When objectives are easy to understand and are achievable, the immediate dopamine hits that you get make it a suitable stress relief game.
When Stress Relief Games Aren’t Enough (And What Can Help)
If you find yourself still feeling on edge after rounds of finding games to relax the mind, it’s time to move the efforts and try out these instead:
Move Your Body
Fresh air and a change of scenery can do so much good for your cortisol. Even 5 minutes of stretching or yoga to get your blood flow going works wonders, too.
Creative and Engaging Activities
Take a knack for hands-on activities like baking or painting. The sensory experience you get from doing tangible hobbies is soothing and helps with making yourself feel calmer.
Deep and Long Rest
Sometimes it might just be that you’re not resting well enough. Your activity before sleep is essential in ensuring you get a full recovery. Try chamomile tea, a relaxing bath or calming music to set yourself up for a restful sleep.
Reduce Digital Consumption
At times, the daily intake of technology and lack of limitation when scrolling through your phone can be one of the main causes of stress. Practising digital detox from time to time can help unload the invisible burden in your mind.
Key Takeaways
Each of these stress relief games has its own charms and quirks, so pick one—or all—to unwind after a hard day.
Gaming is just one way to de-stress.
If even relaxing games don’t work for you, start looking for what actually works for you.
Finding ways to relax should become a life approach that you set up to ensure you’re well-rested.
Author Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR, and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved Labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
With a background in Arts English, Adilla has been a casual writer for various hobbies, including parodies of animated shows and plots for board games like Dungeons & Dragons. She loves to read anything and everything from fantasy stories to articles on tips and tricks. Currently, Adilla resides in Malaysia and is a creative writer at TESSR. One day, she is eager to publish her book. To know more about her, check out her LinkedIn.
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