During hectic periods or after work, it's always nice to be able to create an island of calm with a relaxation method that suits you. These moments of tranquility are an important part of your daily routine.
The good news is that there are relaxation games specifically designed for adults that can help you find your own personal moments of calm. Find out more in our guide.
- which games serve to promote relaxation and concentration.
- How puzzles and coloring books calm your brain and reduce the stress hormone cortisol in your body.
Below you will find tips for moments of relaxation in which you focus on something beautiful. With this method, you will find it much easier to relax after work!
What happens in the body when you relax?
We usually feel stress immediately in our bodies: a rapid heartbeat, sweating, or shivering. In acute stressful situations, we may even feel nauseous. Chronic stress, which can accompany us throughout our lives, is not permanently noticeable to us. Nevertheless, it has an effect on our bodies.
Expert tip: Relaxation games can help you switch off and bring your body to a more relaxed state, both in cases of acute and chronic stress.
What happens when the body relaxes?
Relaxation influences the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, a central part of our nervous system that is responsible for heartbeat and breathing rate, among other things. When we relax, this influences the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering a whole series of physical reactions:
cardiovascular system
When you relax, your heart rate drops. This means that your heart beats more calmly and slowly. The heart pumps blood through our vessels, which dilate when we relax successfully, allowing blood to flow through them more easily.
Relaxation can cause the blood vessels to dilate, particularly in the arms and legs, which can improve blood circulation and thus provide warmth in the hands and feet.
In combination, the slower heartbeat together with the dilated blood vessels can lead to a reduction in high blood pressure.
musculature
The tone of your muscles indicates the degree of muscle tension. When you relax, muscle tone decreases and the muscles become softer and more permeable.
breathing
During a relaxation phase, you can observe your breathing: Is it becoming calmer? Relaxation reduces your breathing rate, making your breaths deeper, calmer, and more even.
The skin
The effect of relaxation on our skin is not very well known. Here, too, a positive change can occur. Relaxation can reduce the conductivity of your skin.
Conductivity describes the electrical conductivity of the skin. High conductivity can cause sweaty, cold hands, for example.
Relaxation games as activities for adults counteract this stress. In this way, they trigger the reactions described above in your body.
How do relaxation games affect mental health?
Games for relaxation can also benefit mental health. Stress is not just a physical reaction. The physical reactionscan also lead to mental difficulties such as
- Irritability,
- sleep disorders
- or lead to concentration difficulties.
We generally refer to this state as: stressed.
A permanent state of stress is not good for us. The reaction to stress is evolutionary: our body releases hormones that are designed to help us flee. These hormones quickly provide us with a lot of energy.
We know these as stress hormones.
- adrenaline,
- cortisol
- and norepinephrine.
Their release can lead to higher blood pressure and an increased heart rate. In most cases, however, we no longer need to run away from stressful situations. In the worst case, we cannot even escape.
This means that we are unable to break down the energy provided in the way that evolution intended. Instead, we often remain in a stressed state. Breaking down stress is particularly important, and this process can be described as "returning to grazing."
What does this mean? Anyone who observes horses will often see them prick up their ears at the slightest noise. Their whole body is tense and ready to flee. Once the situation calms down, the stress seems to disappear as if by magic, and they lower their heads and continue grazing.
We humans sometimes lose sight of this "return to grazing." Relaxing games for adults can be our "return to grazing" moment. The "islands of calm" created in this way prevent stress from remaining permanently in our bodies. This allows our mental health to recover as well.
Furthermore
- sleep disorders may decrease,
- can irritability disappears
- Concentration is also trained, especially when we devote ourselves to a puzzle.
Are there certain types of games that are particularly good for relaxation?
If you're looking for relaxing games for adults, there are plenty to choose from. The best way to find out which anti-stress game is right for you is to simply try them out.
Games to combat stress come in many different forms:
- Magnetic games made of balls,
- Puzzles
- or mandalas to color in.
Here are a few tips for choosing a game to relax with:
1. Crafting and building together
Crafting and building together is always a great way to relieve stress. Anyone who has ever built towers out of colorful building blocks with their children knows this.
Crafting with paper is also relaxing, which is why origami is a good way to unwind after work.
2. Puzzles as a calming activity for adults
Puzzles for adults are also games that combat stress. These are usually colorful, like our games, and are structured differently from classic puzzles. They have special shapes and colors. 3D puzzles are particularly popular. They combine mechanics, engineering, and fascination.
3. Painting helps you switch off
Another popular way to relax with a game is coloring. Mandalas and paint-by-numbers are particularly relaxing. Similar to puzzles, these activities also involve colors and shapes.
If you want to express yourself artistically at the same time, leave numbers and predefined shapes out of it. Instead, paint freely on a canvas. Here, too, you can lose yourself in concentration on your picture to such an extent that a relaxing effect sets in.
Want to combine puzzles and mandalas? Then give our mandala puzzles a try :)
More games and relaxation tips to help you unwind
Relaxation games usually lead to the desired goal through concentration on colors and shapes. Building something, whether it be a picture or another work of art, also has a positive relaxing effect.
But there are other ways you can create your own islands of calm:
1. Music to relax to
Music helps you relax, but not all music is suitable for this purpose. Music with a lot of bass is not really suitable for relaxation. There are numerous playlists on the internet that are specifically designed for relaxation through music.
2. Just close your eyes
We do this far too rarely, but it is very effective: simply close your eyes and concentrate on what is happening right now, at this very moment.
3. A good book helps you relax
Reading is also relaxing. Unless the book is so bad that it upsets you. So it's better to choose a good book and curl up comfortably in a corner with it.
4. A trip to the countryside to combat stress
A trip to the woods and meadows helps you relax. There are numerous studies on the positive effects of a trip to the countryside on our psyche.
5. Relaxing video games for adults
Contrary to their reputation, video games can also help you relax. You just need to choose the right game. Some games are designed to keep your adrenaline levels high, while others lower them.
6. A relaxing bath in the evening works wonders.
A nice bath in the evening also helps to relax your muscles and mind. It's best to adjust your surroundings a little too: a few candles will help you relax even faster.
Conclusion
Relaxation is important for both physical and mental health. Since relaxation does not usually come naturally, you should consciously create islands of calm for yourself.
These should serve your personal relaxation. Various methods are suitable for this, such as doing puzzles, solving riddles, listening to music, and much more.
