Strategies for Employing Play to Alleviate Tension
Wanting to conquer stress? Struggling with sleep issues, anxiety, and feeling like life's heavy burden? Maybe it's time you dive into stress management.
One fascinating method to combat stress is game therapy. This method operates on the idea that fictional fears don't exist, only danger does. Embrace this notion, recognizing fear as a product of your own imagination.
Think about the instances in life when panic didn't guide you to success, except maybe those lucky instances bolstered by external aid or fortunate circumstances. Recall that a cool head and inner strength helped you triumph or minimize losses. Can one always win by controlling emotions? No, life's a series of victories and defeats.
Now, what about gambling? It's a captivating habit that teaches discipline, patience, and resilience. Set clear boundaries like freezing your bank card, restricting daily spending.
But beware the allure and the danger of gaming—addiction. It's a distraction, a temporary escape from reality. Make sure you're controlling the game, not letting it control you. Keep it as a fun activity, not a chase for fleeting gains.
The magic of game therapy lies in its ability to help with emotional regulation for stress relief, teaching cognitive and social skills, and promoting emotional resilience. Senior citizens show improved mental acuity and emotional bonds, while children develop social interaction skills.
Certain games, like the MindLight video game, demonstrate effectiveness comparable to 8-12 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing anxiety in kids. This game uses biofeedback to teach stress management skills in an engaging manner[3].
However, be mindful of potential risks like overreliance, the possible worsening of stress or negative mental health impacts, and excessive screen time[4][5]. Optimal game therapy usage entails professional guidance, careful selection of games, and balancing it with other therapeutic practices.
What about exploring the intersection of science, health-and-wellness, and mental-health through game therapy? Given the proven effectiveness of certain games in reducing anxiety and improving stress management, perhaps it's worth considering this unconventional approach to emotional regulation and resilience.