Playing the classic game of Tetris can help sooth the mind when you are awaiting uncertain news - such as medical test results or outcome of a job interview, a study has found.
The venerable video game was used in a recent experiment to create a state of flow - the term psychologists use to describe a state of mind so engaged it makes the rest of the world fall away, and time pass more quickly.
Researchers from University of California (UC) Riverside in the US have found that state of perfect disengagement may improve the otherwise-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 substitute 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.