You might not associate gaming with relieving stress, but it’s a tactic that is utilised all around the world. Playing video games is a great way to unwind and relieve stress after a long day. 

While we may associate stress and anxiety relief more with exercise, many medical professionals are also seeing the positive side to gaming as well, with many a rehab centre even having consoles in communal areas to help with patients’ concentration as well as for stress relief. 

Which means gaming can be great to turn to at home during those periods where you may be struggling with cravings due to addiction or you are feeling incredibly stressed after a hard day at work. But what are the best games to play to reduce that stress?

Astro’s Playroom

Astro’s Playroom is a free game that comes pre-installed on every PS5 console. The game features an adorable robot character named Astro who explores a variety of colorful and imaginative environments. The game is designed to showcase the capabilities of the PS5’s DualSense controller, with its advanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Playing Astro’s Playroom is a fun and lighthearted experience that can help to relieve stress and put a smile on your face.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

A 3D platformer game, this game features the iconic Sackboy character from the LittleBigPlanet series. The game takes players on a colorful and whimsical adventure through a variety of imaginative worlds. With its charming visuals and upbeat soundtrack, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a great game to play when you need a break from the stresses of everyday life.

Bugsnax

Quirky and charming, Bugsnax takes place on a mysterious island inhabited by creatures made of food. Players must explore the island and capture these creatures, known as Bugsnax, in order to solve puzzles and uncover the island’s secrets. With its colorful and whimsical visuals, Bugsnax is a relaxing and enjoyable game that can help to take your mind off of stress and anxiety.

No Man’s Sky

No Man’s Sky is an exploration game that takes place in a vast and procedurally generated universe. Players can explore planets, discover new species, and build their own bases. The game’s open-world nature and relaxing soundtrack make it a great game to play when you need to escape from the stresses of everyday life.

The Pathless

Beautiful and atmospheric, The Pathless takes players on a journey through a mystical forest. Players control a skilled archer who must navigate the forest and defeat a curse that has befallen the land. With its stunning visuals and calming soundtrack, The Pathless is a great game to play when you want to relax and unwind.

Jane