Stress Relief Games

Stress Relief Games - how games or sports can help relieve workplace stress

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How Sports, Physical Activity and Games can help Relieve Workplace Stress

Chances are that if you work in an office environment you spend much of your day in a seated position at your desk. Humans are not designed to stay seated for this length of time, and hunching over in your office chair can be detrimental to your well being, as well as contributing to workplace stress. Physical exercise helps relieve stress in a number of ways. Firstly, it keeps your heart healthy while getting more oxygen, and also helps relieve stress hormones by releasing endorphins, or happy hormones, into your body. These endorphins help fight the negative effects of stress and promote positivity. Exercise also helps relax tense muscles, especially those attributed to stress like back pain, headaches and neck ache. Swimming, cycling, jogging or even just a brisk walk at lunchtime can all help relieve stress.

Competitive sports are an especially good way to relieve stress, for example a game of football, cricket or tennis. Consider forming an office sports team, a good game can release stress, improve moral in the workplace as well as being excellent for team building.

Five Stress Relief Games Ideas for the Workplace

When you are feeling stressed, playing games probably isn't the first thing you think of as a way to relieve the stress. However, playing games and having fun is one of the most effective ways to manage stress, including playing online games, board games, card games and puzzles. Games take your mind off the stressor for a few minutes and allow you to blow off some steam after a stressful day.

1. Statue Game

Office meetings, presentations and even parties can be stressful. However, you can add a little play and fun to lighten up the situation by playing Statue Game. To play the game, choose one person before the next meeting to be the Statue. Inform everyone attending the party of the rules of the game before they arrive for the meeting. During the meeting, the person chosen as the Statue will turn into a statue. The Statue decides when she or he will turn into a statue. As others in the meeting begin to notice, they must also turn into statues. The last person to turn into a statue will become the Statue in the next round. What a great way to add some fun to boring meetings?

2. Ninja Game

At one point or another you must have wished you could disappear and reappear in front of people in a blink of an eye like a Ninja. Well, the Ninja Game gives you the opportunity to do just that. The objective of the game is to "disappear" at unexpected moments. The more unexpected the moment you disappear and the more thorough the disappearing act, the better. For example, slip into a lift as the door slides shut when you are walking down a hallway with a coworker and "disappear." Whoever is first to pull off the Ninja disappearing act twice on the other wins. It's so much fun!

3. Two Truths & One Lie Game

This is another exciting game to play at the office. Each co-worker or member of a team comes up with two truthful statements about themselves and one false one. Everyone then takes turns to state their truths and a lie. Members of the team listen carefully and have to decide which one of the statements is false. The person saying the statements gets a good laugh hearing what others think of his statements. The whole team also enjoys a good laugh and learns a little more about individuals in the team.

4. Group Jokes-telling Games

Maintaining a sense of humour within acceptable limits is a powerful way to relieve stress. With a little humour, you can turn major stressors in the workplace into fabulous stories, annoying colleagues into amusing individuals and big challenges into enjoyable tasks. Tell jokes every now and then, particularly when everyone is feeling downcast. You can find good jokes online to share with colleagues and elicit a good laugh. The best thing about telling jokes is that laughter is contagious and often others pick and run with your light-hearted attitude. Once you share a joke, others will likely share jokes right back and before you know it everyone's mood is lifted.

5. Solo Office Desk Toy Games

Let's face it. Not all of us have friendly relationships with all co-workers, there will always be some friction between certain personality types. Some workplace environments are also not conducive for group games and fun office activities. However, that does not mean you cannot enjoy playing games by yourself to relive some of the workplace stress. Just be a little creative and get some office desk toys to play with. You don't have to buy a toy from the supermarket to play with on your desk. You can improvise by picking a fun object that always puts a smile on your face whenever you look at or hold it. This could be a lovely photo of your child making funny faces, a stuffed pet animal or even just a small bouncing ball. Whatever tickles your fancy, get it and amuse yourself with it at your desk for a quick chuckle and stress relief.

There you have it - five stress relief games ideas you can try at work when you are feeling under stress. Remember none of these games is suitable for all and under all circumstances. Find the right game for you and play it with the right people at the right time for best results.