Playing Tetris, or similar activities, can cut stress over uncertain news
Playing the classic game of Tetris can help soothe the mind when you’re waiting for uncertain news, such as medical test results or the outcome of a job interview, a study has found.
The video game was used in a recent experiment to create a state of flow — it’s the term psychologists use to describe a state of mind so engaged that it makes the rest of the world fall away. Researchers from the University of California (UC) Riverside have found that this state of perfect disengagement may improve the emotionally unpleasant experience of waiting for uncertain news.
In place of Tetris, in which blocks are flipped every which way and stacked into rows, one can have flow activities such as rock climbing, carpentry, playing chess, or swimming, researchers said.
“Flow, if it can be achieved, incurs benefits. And video games are perfect for flow as long as it’s a game that meets and slightly pushes the skill level of the player,” said Kate Sweeny, a professor at UC Riverside. “Flow is most readily achieved with activities that challenge the person somewhat, but not too much; have clear, achievable goals; and that provide the person with feedback about how they’re doing along the way,” she added.
For the research, published in the journal Emotion, 290 undergraduate students were told the study would be about physical attractiveness. They filled out a questionnaire, after which a photo was taken of them. They were then told that students in another location would rate their physical attractiveness. While they were ostensibly being rated, the students were then asked to play Tetris for 10 minutes. The game was introduced at varying challenge levels.
After the game, they completed a survey measuring flow, worry, and emotion. The participants who achieved flow experienced less negative emotion, and greater positive emotion than those who were bored, or for whom the level of play was too difficult.
A GAME THAT MEETS AND ALSO SLIGHTLY PUSHES THE SKILL LEVEL OF THE PLAYER IS PERFECT FOR FLOW