on line games

[Zoe Girl]

I signed up with a couple survey places online, mostly I can earn gift cards with a LOT of surveys but I decided they would be for gifts to people so a couple surveys a week when I watch TV is pretty easy. Part of these sites are on line games like solitaire, and I think I am hooked! (not in a bad way like not bathing or staying up too late). So I noticed that something about doing strategy games is helping with my chronic depression. I take meds and do healthy living things, but it seems to help to do 20 minutes a day of fun games that make me work a little. I like the word games or simple ones. I found this article which is interesting

http://geekandsundry.com/how-video-games-can-help-with-depression-and-anxiety/

I noticed it after a couple weeks, and based on some other things I have read I have changed other habits. I used to think that this rather quiet zin-like space in my house (like not listening to music in the morning or when I exercised) was better because I was more aware of my surroundings. Which is great unless you are easily overwhelmed by everything. I have noticed a slight improvement in my mood when I put on music in the morning or even when I listen in the gym which I never did before. I even heard something about white bedding? I have mostly all white bedding so i am looking around like at Goodwill to see if I can change it up.

[Gardenarian]

That's very cool - I'm sure a lot of parents will be glad to here that video games have benefits!

I don't do online games, but I love doing the crossword puzzle every morning. It helps me to feel focused.
I've always liked puzzles (crossword, math puzzles) and solitaire.
Now that I think back, I used to play solitaire (with real cards) all the time when I was going through a rough patch in my late teens. It was kind of like meditation, and helped a lot when my mind was too scattered to read or sleep.

About house atmosphere/colors/sounds - I think this is interesting. People say to listen to your body, but I think it is important to get a feel for your home as well, and figure out what makes you the most comfortable. I like to be surrounded by books, pastel colors, soft lighting, and silence. I dislike cooking odors, but like smoky scents, like when we have a fire in our outdoor fire pit, or burn beeswax candles. I think a certain amount of disorder is inevitable in a home, and an ultra-minimalist décor can highlight that. Colored bedding, plants, photos, books lying around - they feel homey and call attention away from the little messes of everyday life.

[JaneV2.0]

Have I put in a plug for cryptic crosswords lately?
They're a type of puzzle where the clue is confounding on its own:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptic_crossword
I was doing them daily for awhile, snagged from books and websites.

I like online games, too--mostly easy ones. I have zero interest in gaming as played across the Internet, with a bunch of other people, but I'd love to get lost in an animated adventure of some kind. One that wan't particularly mentally taxing, but visually beautiful.