Stress Relief Through Games

Richmond, BC – (June 9, 2009) - Teaching kids day in and day out is a rewarding career, and many teachers will tell you that they love their job. After all, as a teacher you get to make a direct impact on the kids that you teach. On the other hand, teaching a classroom of kids can also be quite stressful. The key is in knowing how to reduce your classroom stress, and refocus your students on the lesson at hand. Stress can affect the students and the teachers. It can take a big toll on all of us both physically and mentally.

It’s important to everyone’s stress level and happiness quotient that at least one activity be regularly just for fun. It has been found, that playing a game for as little as five minutes, can actually re-stabilize the brain, which in turn, refreshes focus, and results in more overall productivity, on every level. In Playing and Reality, psychoanalyst D. W. Winnicott highlights the importance of play for children as a means of working through anxiety.

Playing games and fun activities can bring added joy and happiness to classroom life, and can be a great way to relieve stress as well. Playing games hit reward circuits in the brain.

Whenever you think of games first thing that come to your mind are board games, because we all enjoy them and have plenty on hand. Some of them demand creativity and even some are simple silliness. Whatever these bring out in a person, they tend to show a different side than what everyone sees in a daily routine.

The best way to relieve stress is to play stress relief games, which are easy to win. This makes the person feel successful and provides a relaxed feeling.

Beyond board games, there's everything from charades to karaoke. Loud, even off-key singing can induce dancing and laughter, bringing friends and classmates close together and relieving a lot of pent-up stress. They take you out of your every day routine and give your mind a chance to focus on something different or, even better, nothing. All one needs is the will to have a good time.

Basically, relieving stress is as easy as having some fun. Unfortunately, in our fast-paced world full of schedules and "have-to's," it's sometimes necessary to schedule that fun. Fortunately, once begun, having fun becomes easier and easier to work into schedules.

Take a break in the classroom and enjoy a game. Health care professionals say taking your mind off of the source of stress and focusing on something totally different for even a few minutes is very helpful and beneficial to your health.

If in a smaller group setting, you may want to try some personal type games such as “Liar, Liar” where each person makes up three or four things about themselves and the other members of the group need to decide what is true and what is not. Or, “Who Likes What” where each member of the group writes down what they like in certain categories. The lists are then given back to the leader and read aloud. Once the lists are read the other members of the group try to decide whom the list belongs to.

Take the "Singing in the Shower" game, for instance. The idea is to choose a tune, then make up the words to the song with anything that might pop into your head. You don't even need a shower to play this game! In Israel , schools have made up songs for kids to sing and dance and play with to defuse their anxiety and stress over constant bombing threats. The students have shown much lower anxiety and better copping skills by playing the game.

Another stress relief type game is based on the "counting sheep" to fall asleep theory. The whole idea is to take your mind off stressful situations students might conjure up.

And of course, the ever-popular charades or the multitudes of popular board games for a gathering are all wonderful stress relief games.

Games played within a group setting can also create bonds and be good ice-breakers for kids helping to break down social issues that may arise in the classroom. Relaxation sets in and the entire group feels at ease with themselves and one another.

Although group gaming can be competitive, it also makes the members feel equally adequate to one another.

According to Mr. Baldwin’s research published in American Psychology Association’s Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in October 2007, playing games can reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels by 17% in people who play games even for five minutes a day.

Leisure activities and stress relief have a very close and intrinsic link. There is as a mental wind down after the experience of a stressful situation. When an individual does something they enjoy the memory of the stressful situation fades away and instead they are occupied by an interesting, exciting and fun activity that instead provides a multitude of positive emotions, therefore effectively dealing with the negative effects of feeling stress and anxiety.

The fact that you are unlikely to spend very long thinking about yourself while interacting with a group of people and you therefore will not focus on your own personal stress.

As well, while interacting with others the likelihood of talking about yourself to some extent will consolidate your feelings. It may also allow you to understand the stress and create better coping mechanisms. Talking to others may help you to put your situation into perspective.

Once you begin using these games, there will be a noticeable decrease in the stress levels almost immediately. The effects are vast with feeling more at ease, sleeping better, eating better and less likely to overreact unnecessarily.

As silly as some of these stress relief games might sound, playing these games will reduce stress levels. They all use simple techniques that are designed to set your mind at ease so that you are not constantly creating imaginary worries to stress yourself.

Use your imagination, your creativity, and your desires as you select games for stress relief for your classroom. Remember, life is meant to include fun and games.

About Griddly Games: Griddly Games are games that get you going. The company creates award-winning party and board games that deliver innovative, engaging fun that brings people together. Founded in 2007 by two moms from Vancouver, British Columbia, who took it upon themselves to fill the void for products that deliver wholesome family fun that all ages could enjoy at once, Griddly Games creates award-winning party and board games that inspire laughter and fun, while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. As former educators, who combine for over 30 years of professional work with children, the co-founders of Griddly Games keep a strict company philosophy to offer games that encourage social interaction, learning, strategy and challenges that anyone (the entire grid of people) can enjoy. To discover more about Griddly Games, visit www.griddlygames.com.

	BACK TO WALSHPR
*“Games* *That Get You Going”*	*PRESSRELEASE***
Stress Relief Through Games by Reisa Schwartzman from Griddly Games
Richmond, BC – (June 9, 2009) - Teaching kids day in and day out is a rewarding career, and many teachers will tell you that they love their job. After all, as a teacher you get to make a direct impact on the kids that you teach. On the other hand, teaching a classroom of kids can also be quite stressful. The key is in knowing how to reduce your classroom stress, and refocus your students on the lesson at hand. Stress can affect the students and the teachers. It can take a big toll on all of us both physically and mentally. It’s important to everyone’s stress level and happiness quotient that at least one activity be regularly just for fun. It has been found, that playing a game for as little as five minutes, can actually re-stabilize the brain, which in turn, refreshes focus, and results in more overall productivity, on every level. In Playing and Reality, psychoanalyst D. W. Winnicott highlights the importance of play for children as a means of working through anxiety. Playing games and fun activities can bring added joy and happiness to classroom life, and can be a great way to relieve stress as well. Playing games hit reward circuits in the brain. Whenever you think of games first thing that come to your mind are board games, because we all enjoy them and have plenty on hand. Some of them demand creativity and even some are simple silliness. Whatever these bring out in a person, they tend to show a different side than what everyone sees in a daily routine. The best way to relieve stress is to play stress relief games, which are easy to win. This makes the person feel successful and provides a relaxed feeling. Beyond board games, there's everything from charades to karaoke. Loud, even off-key singing can induce dancing and laughter, bringing friends and classmates close together and relieving a lot of pent-up stress. They take you out of your every day routine and give your mind a chance to focus on something different or, even better, nothing. All one needs is the will to have a good time. Basically, relieving stress is as easy as having some fun. Unfortunately, in our fast-paced world full of schedules and "have-to's," it's sometimes necessary to schedule that fun. Fortunately, once begun, having fun becomes easier and easier to work into schedules. Take a break in the classroom and enjoy a game. Health care professionals say taking your mind off of the source of stress and focusing on something totally different for even a few minutes is very helpful and beneficial to your health. If in a smaller group setting, you may want to try some personal type games such as “Liar, Liar” where each person makes up three or four things about themselves and the other members of the group need to decide what is true and what is not. Or, “Who Likes What” where each member of the group writes down what they like in certain categories. The lists are then given back to the leader and read aloud. Once the lists are read the other members of the group try to decide whom the list belongs to. Take the "Singing in the Shower" game, for instance. The idea is to choose a tune, then make up the words to the song with anything that might pop into your head. You don't even need a shower to play this game! In Israel , schools have made up songs for kids to sing and dance and play with to defuse their anxiety and stress over constant bombing threats. The students have shown much lower anxiety and better copping skills by playing the game. Another stress relief type game is based on the "counting sheep" to fall asleep theory. The whole idea is to take your mind off stressful situations students might conjure up. And of course, the ever-popular charades or the multitudes of popular board games for a gathering are all wonderful stress relief games. Games played within a group setting can also create bonds and be good ice-breakers for kids helping to break down social issues that may arise in the classroom. Relaxation sets in and the entire group feels at ease with themselves and one another. Although group gaming can be competitive, it also makes the members feel equally adequate to one another. According to Mr. Baldwin’s research published in American Psychology Association’s Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in October 2007, playing games can reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels by 17% in people who play games even for five minutes a day. Leisure activities and stress relief have a very close and intrinsic link. There is as a mental wind down after the experience of a stressful situation. When an individual does something they enjoy the memory of the stressful situation fades away and instead they are occupied by an interesting, exciting and fun activity that instead provides a multitude of positive emotions, therefore effectively dealing with the negative effects of feeling stress and anxiety. The fact that you are unlikely to spend very long thinking about yourself while interacting with a group of people and you therefore will not focus on your own personal stress. As well, while interacting with others the likelihood of talking about yourself to some extent will consolidate your feelings. It may also allow you to understand the stress and create better coping mechanisms. Talking to others may help you to put your situation into perspective. Once you begin using these games, there will be a noticeable decrease in the stress levels almost immediately. The effects are vast with feeling more at ease, sleeping better, eating better and less likely to overreact unnecessarily. As silly as some of these stress relief games might sound, playing these games will reduce stress levels. They all use simple techniques that are designed to set your mind at ease so that you are not constantly creating imaginary worries to stress yourself. Use your imagination, your creativity, and your desires as you select games for stress relief for your classroom. Remember, life is meant to include fun and games. About Griddly Games: Griddly Games are games that get you going. The company creates award-winning party and board games that deliver innovative, engaging fun that brings people together. Founded in 2007 by two moms from Vancouver, British Columbia, who took it upon themselves to fill the void for products that deliver wholesome family fun that all ages could enjoy at once, Griddly Games creates award-winning party and board games that inspire laughter and fun, while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. As former educators, who combine for over 30 years of professional work with children, the co-founders of Griddly Games keep a strict company philosophy to offer games that encourage social interaction, learning, strategy and challenges that anyone (the entire grid of people) can enjoy. To discover more about Griddly Games, visit www.griddlygames.com.