The best relaxing video games to relieve stress
How to battle stress? April has been Stress Awareness Month since 1992, held to increase public awareness about the modern stress epidemic. So here we are, tossing what we do best to the list of possible solutions: relaxing video games.
The past year (and then some!) hasn’t been easy. With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions and isolation that go along with it, people have been feeling increasingly stressed. Without the regular options of meeting with friends and going out, it can be difficult to keep the stress from getting the better of you. Luckily, video games are here to help!
But how can video games help improve and maintain your mental health? In the reality of lockdown, games provide an enjoyable distraction to relieve some stress. They help you grow and connect with other people when the world especially lacks social events. You can read more on the topic in our article: A Video Game State of Mind.
‘Okay, so video games can be relaxing’, you may say, ‘But now what? What are the best games for relaxing?’. No worries! We’re experts on all the games that make you feel all comfy and warm inside. While it’s rather based on personal preference, we’ve prepared a list of relaxing video games you may enjoy. Check them out!
If you’ve already decided that the best way to unwind is to become one with nature in a quiet virtual forest or relax by creating your dream house, see our articles presenting a range of nature and renovation video games:
- Top 10 Games for Spring Break for those willing to spend time ‘outdoors’
- Top 7 Renovation Games for Spring for building enthusiasts
Calming and relaxing video games for getting your chill on
Tools Up! – No Time Limit Mode
Tools Up!, an exciting local co-op that tests your renovation and teamwork skills, has something for everyone: a regular campaign, a challenging mode, and a relaxing No Time Limit Mode for those pacifists who prefer to leave the clock alone instead of beating it. Simply start a new campaign, select No Time Limit Mode, and enjoy some hard work with no deadlines. Take your time, paint some walls, lay some tiles…we’re feeling relaxed already.
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Flower
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to become a gust of wind? Sail across green meadows and collect petals from a variety of flowers to rejuvenate different ecosystem levels. Flower is a simple and immersive game, described as “interactive escape”. With its relaxing music and satisfying tingling of little bells for each flower you pass, you’ll find yourself saying ‘Ahhh’ in no time.
Banished
Although Banished can be challenging at first when winter comes, as soon as you get the hang of it, managing your town is like overseeing a well oiled machine—it’s satisfying to watch. It’s a city-building strategy game in which your primary resources are people. Children are born and grow into adults to take different jobs as each structure requires workers.
Townscaper
Townscaper is a colorful, instant city-builder, more like a toy than a game. It allows you to build cute towns on water, with structures turning into houses, bridges, or green backyards with just a click. What will your city look like?
Little Inferno
Sit down in front of a fireplace, start a fire, warm your hands…and burn something. Little Inferno is a puzzle game which allows you to throw different items, such as robots and credit cards, into the fire to play with them as they turn into ash. You can create funny combos and there’s no time limit or a wrong way to do something. Just watch things burn…so satisfying.
Tengami
Set inside a Japanese pop-up book, Tengami is an atmospheric puzzle-adventure game. You fold and slide a tranquil, paper world to discover its secrets. The serene journey, accompanied by a soundtrack by David Wise, is immersive and relaxing, easily allowing you to forget about the real world.
Tetris
Good ol’ Tetris is well-known for a reason. Besides inspiring the creation of countless other games with it’s simple concept, Tetris has set the Guinness world record for ‘Most Ported Video Game Title’, and is available on over 65 platforms. The rules are simple: Blocks in different shapes fall down the screen and the player can rotate them to create as many horizontal lines of blocks as possible. The speed of blocks increases with time, providing some challenge. When life feels like it’s getting out of control, feel the thrill of putting everything just the way you want it in Tetris.
Coffee Talk
Coffee Talk is a visual novel mixed with preparing drinks from a variety of ingredients. Set in an alternate Seattle filled with fantasy races, the game lets you experience being a barista who listens to their patrons’ tales and daily problems. Unwind to calming colors and jazzy, lo-fi music.
ISLANDERS
ISLANDERS is a relaxing strategy game in which you build settlements on colorful islands, from villages to cities, to get a satisfying high score. There’s no resource management, you simply unlock new buildings by collecting points for placing constructions, and if you run out of space, move to a new, procedurally generated land.
Do you have your favorite relaxing video games? What are your favorite comfy titles for destressing? Let us know on our Discord or social media channels.
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