Treating Trauma With Tetris
Researchers at Oxford University say that playing the video game Tetris after a traumatic experience blocks your brain from storing bad memories.
The trick is that the game has to be played within just a few hours after the trauma. Does this mean that in the future we might see Red Cross mental health nurses carrying Game Boys to the scene of disaster? Who knows.
LifeHacker suggests you put one in your emergency kit. I think that’s a great idea. If nothing else, it’ll prevent boredom. Just make sure to pack extra batteries.
P.S. No word yet whether other video games are as effective. (I’m personally hoping for validation of the healthy effects of Super Mario Brothers, Katamari Damacy, and the fabulous iPhone game Rolando.)
Related: Good old-fashioned card games for your kit.
Photo by Micah Taylor
One thought on “Treating Trauma With Tetris”
Funny thing — I play Tetris on my phone every night before bed. Weird, I know, but I’m hoping it helps preserve my brain.
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