Opinion by LilyBiggs

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 horrific epidemic that has started to make its way into the classrooms of Marian. It causes insomnia, depression, anxiety, headaches and can cause serious issues that can quickly become deadly. It has begun to seriously affect every single person on Earth, regardless of language, race, sexuality or gender. Can you guess what this epidemic is called? That’s right- stress.

Stress is a part of every person’s life, but it can be especially prevalent throughout your years in high school. I don’t have to be psychic to know that you (yes, you) have a lot of it right now. Oftentimes, we cannot control the cause of the stress itself, but we can control how we handle it and process it. 

Coping mechanisms are a great way to reduce stress and other anxieties that are affecting your everyday life. Cozy games are a good example of a coping mechanism, since they help you to let go of what is creating the anxiety while not creating new stressors that come with games that have consequences if you lose or don’t perform well. 

“Cozy games” are games that are non-violent and emphasize feeling comforted, warm, safe, and relaxed. If more violent first-person shooter games were a chaotic mud fight on the hottest day in July, then cozy games would be curling up next to a fireplace with hot chocolate and blankets with your family while it gently snows outside. 

The best part of these games is that there’s no “right” way to play- you just do what aspect of the game makes you happy, and if you get bored or don’t enjoy it, then you can choose from the thousands available on platforms like Steam, gaming console stores or the App Store.

Even if you’re rolling your eyes while reading this and are wondering how a stupid game could relieve stress, you yourself probably play cozy games daily. New York Times games like Wordle, Connections and Crosswords evoke that warm feeling alongside a small shot of dopamine when you finish the puzzle. Cozy games work in a similar way, with the only difference being that this time you have enough money to get a cute pixelated chicken named “Sunny” instead of figuring out which words relate to others. You could even argue that the “Pizza” game on our iPads is a cozy game.

If you are getting caught up in the stress of the end of your first year, sophomore slump, taking the ACT, or anxiety about college, then I recommend looking around at some possible cozy games to check out in your spare time. It could be the start of a new hobby that doubles as a coping mechanism and creative outlet.

Stress will always be a major part of my life, but I will always find an escape through these games. The world is chaotic, and can be dangerous. It’s easy to get sucked up into madness, but it’s important to connect with yourself and relax once in a while. Cozy games help you calm down while also allowing you to live the cute digital life of your dreams.