| Stress can be defined as the external forces of the | | | | answer. Just remember that nobody is allowed to |
| outside world impacting on the individual. Yet stress is | | | | repeat a category. |
| also a normal part of life that can help us develop | | | | This is a very simple game with no preparation |
| and grow as people. On the other hand, stress can | | | | beforehand and that is the best type of stress relief |
| cause us significant problems. | | | | game for a group. |
| Stress releases potent neurochemicals and hormones | | | | Stress Relief Games for Groups #2: Who Likes |
| these prepare us for action. The common reason for | | | | What? |
| stress is to either fight or flee. If we don't take | | | | In this game everybody has a pencil and a piece of |
| action, the stress response can lead to health | | | | paper on which to list five categories. Basically the |
| problems. Prolonged, uninterrupted, unexpected, and | | | | categories can be about anything such as |
| unmanageable stresses are the most damaging types | | | | "composers", "actors" or any other category like a |
| of stress. | | | | fancy. |
| Day in and day out we face stressful situations. They | | | | Now everybody is simply lists their favourite item in |
| meet us at every corner of our life. We can face to | | | | each part of the category. |
| face and with stress in life's low valleys as well as on | | | | Give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil. Then list |
| the mountaintops where we experience life's real | | | | five categories such as "foods" or "musicians." |
| joys. The good and the bad both come with there | | | | Everyone should list his or her favourite thing in each |
| own patterns of stress. | | | | category. All the slips of paper should then be given |
| Meeting groups of people can be particularly | | | | back to you (the leader). As you read each list aloud, |
| problematic. Everybody, no matter how experienced | | | | the other members of the group try to guess whose |
| they may be, will feel a degree of stress when faced | | | | list you are reading. |
| with a group situation. | | | | Stress Relief Games for Groups #3: Liar, Liar |
| Bear in mind that if you are feeling under stress then | | | | Here we have each person in the group making three |
| everyone else in the group is feeling in much the | | | | or four comments about themselves. Some of the |
| same way. However, if you've been called to lead | | | | comments should be true and some should be false, |
| that group then the stress on you is going to be that | | | | its up to the rest of the group to decide which are |
| much greater. You will be concerned about how | | | | true and which are false. |
| others perceive you, about whether you will be | | | | Stress Relief Games for Groups #4: Gossip |
| accepted or not and you will be thinking about the | | | | This one's especially great for groups that have to |
| task that the group must face as well. Never lose | | | | go on to develop a serious sense of communication |
| sight of the big picture, the reason for the existence | | | | but you do need at least 10 people for it to be most |
| of the group. | | | | effective. The maximum for this game is 20. so bear |
| The group will operate and perform their task much | | | | these details in mind if you plan to use it. |
| better if they are feeling comfortable with the group. | | | | The idea is that the leader begins by whispering a |
| The group dynamics can be influenced by the degree | | | | long sentence to the person on his right. That person |
| of interaction of the members of the group. If you | | | | passes the message onto the person to her right |
| are the leader then it's your responsibility to get the | | | | and so the message goes around the group. |
| group performing. | | | | Its amazing how the message will turn out as it gets |
| You will find the task much easier and less stressful if | | | | passed on. This game will demonstrate just how |
| you are adequately prepared. One way you can | | | | informal communication gets changed form its original |
| prepare is to have a bank of stress relief games for | | | | idea into something that never happened. It'll stress |
| groups at hand, or at least have an idea of how | | | | the need to write down important notes as the need |
| these stress relief games for groups work. | | | | arises. We cannot always rely on word of mouth |
| You'll find that these games will help to break down | | | | alone. |
| the natural barriers that exist as groups begin to | | | | Stress Relief Games for Groups #5: Ethics |
| form and develop. | | | | This game works well for a small group of adults |
| Stress Relief Games for Groups #1: If I Were A... | | | | who know each other who love to discuss/argue |
| These stress relief games is extremely good at | | | | issues and don't get offended easily. The leader |
| getting people out of their shells and begin | | | | starts the game by turning to a random group |
| communicating. Good communication assists with | | | | member and presenting an ethical dilemma. For |
| group performance and without it the group would | | | | instance, "If you knew someone was going to kill |
| never achieve its stated aims. | | | | your worst enemy, would you try to warn him?" The |
| Its best to have the group stand or sit in a circle, this | | | | person answers the question and explains his or her |
| will create a sense of the belonging. The leader starts | | | | rationale. Then the group votes on whether or not |
| by turning to the person on his right and ask the | | | | they believe the person would really act as they said |
| question "if you work and animal what animal which | | | | they would. If the majority of participants think the |
| you be?" That person will answer the question and | | | | person is lying, he or she is out of the game. If the |
| turn to the person on his right and ask a similar | | | | majority thinks he/she is telling the truth, that person |
| question, such as if you were a famous writer who | | | | picks another "victim" and poses another ethical |
| would you be? The game that continues and | | | | dilemma. Last player left is the winner. |
| everyone has a chance to ask a question and give an | | | | |