Chill out, gamer style

Who says that you can’t mix work with play? Probably your parents, when you’ve got a big assignment due. However, next time they say: “Quit that game and do your homework” simply respond, “I am taking a stress-reducing and mood-improving study break,” because according to a recent PopCap study, playing games may be just that.

Researched by East Carolina University (ECU), the study determined that casual gaming significantly reduces stress and improves moods. ECU analyzed various mood effects of 134 participants who played popular PopCap games like Peggle and Bejeweled. Moods were defined and slotted into six different categories: psychological tension, anger, depression, vigor, fatigue, and confusion. Peggle improved the moods of all participants by 573% while Bejeweled 2 specifically reduced the participants’ stress levels by 54%. Dr. Caremen Russoniello, director of the ECU Psychophysiology and Biofeedback Center, explains that the exciting results “…confirm anecdotal evidence that people are playing casual video games to improve their mood and decrease their stress.” It is clear that those who take a moment to play a leisurely game reduce their stress levels and improve their mood.

So, are you stressed? Or are you just itching to play a casual game such as Peggle? To find out if you’re stressed, take the PopCap stress test. The test will ask 25 questions to determine if you are either a “Chilled out Charlie” or “Peaceful Polly”. If you simply must satisfy your game cravings, log onto www.popcap.com and go nuts. After all, sparing just five minutes a morning to game will significantly benefit your entire day by lowering stress levels and improving your mood.

Relax, you’re a gamer.