Hobbies And Interests
Online and Computer Games
Computer games provide relief during the workday or a brief respite from working on a student paper. Not all computer games are action-packed. Some such as "Flow" are simple and relaxing. "Flow" is a game of evolution, and the player guides a simple creature through its evolutionary process in a watery world (see Resources). "Echo Genesis" is another game based in a watery world. It's more of an interactive game of exploration (see Resources). The player wanders through an underwater world of fish and coral at his own pace.
Board Games
Board games are for multiple players and are turn-based and proceed at the players' leisure. Chess is a relaxing game for deep thinkers who have plenty of time on their hands. Play it without a time limit on moves, and the game can last for days. Checkers is an easier and faster version of chess but is still relaxing. Players get pieces of different colors that can be moved in all four directions on a grid. A player must try to jump her opponent's pieces to collect them, until only one player is left in the game. Games of strategy such as chess and checkers are relaxing because they require time and careful thought to play.
Party Games
Keeping a group of people relaxed and having fun is the party host's job. Few things are more relaxing than a good laugh. Get people headed that direction with "Honey, I Love You." Everyone sits in a circle with one random guest in the center. The player in the middle turns to one in the circle and says, "Honey, I love you. Won't you give me a smile?" The player being spoken to must refrain from smiling. This play must respond with, "Honey, I love you, but I just can't smile" without smiling. It's harder than it seems and gets people laughing. Other relaxing party games include trivia games and "All Tied Up," in which guests crowd together, grab each other's hands at random and calmly try to get untied without breaking hold of each other's hands.
Logic and Puzzle Games
A good puzzle game entertains the mind without being stressful. Crossword and word-finder games help players pass the time with clues and hidden words. Solitaire requires a deck of cards and requires the player to match up cards according to their numbering. Jigsaw puzzles test the mind and provide focus on a clear goal. Players have the option of completing simple 50-piece puzzles or puzzles up to 24,000 pieces, or even 3D puzzles of world globes, famous buildings and monuments.