New Study Finds Tetris Can Put You in a Flow State—and Ease Anxiety
New Study Finds Tetris Can Put You in a Flow State—and Ease Anxiety
New Study Finds Tetris Can Put You in a Flow State—and Ease Anxiety
Ashley Fike
April, 10, 2025
Summary
A recent study led by UC Riverside psychologist Kate Sweeny found that playing Tetris can help reduce anxiety and boost emotional well-being by inducing a state of flow—a focused mental state where worries fade. In the experiment, 290 students played Tetris while anxiously waiting for peer feedback. Those who played an adaptive version of the game, which matched their skill level, reported significantly lower negative emotions and higher positive feelings. The findings suggest that engaging in appropriately challenging tasks like Tetris can regulate emotions during stressful moments, making it a simple, science-backed tool for managing anxiety.
Reference
Fike, A. (2025, April 10). New study finds Tetris can put you in a flow state—and ease anxiety. VICE. https://www.vice.com/en/article/new-study-finds-tetris-can-put-you-in-a-flow-state-and-ease-anxiety/