Tackle Trauma with Tetris: A New Approach to Managing Traumatic Memories

Today, we’re diving into an innovative and scientifically-backed approach to managing trauma: playing Tetris. Yes, you heard that right—this classic game can help mitigate the effects of traumatic experiences. Intrigued? Let’s get started.

The Brain and Trauma: Understanding the Connection

To understand how Tetris can help, we need to first look at how our brain processes trauma. Think about a time you watched a disturbing movie—maybe a horror film or a war scene. You were likely completely engrossed, feeling scared, tense, or even tearful. Despite knowing it wasn’t real, your body reacted as if it was. This state, often referred to as a form of hypnosis, happens because our brains become highly suggestible and emotionally reactive during intense experiences.

After such an experience, our brains begin to consolidate the memories, often leading to flashbacks, nightmares, or negative thinking patterns. This happens because the brain has stored those disturbing images with strong negative emotions, creating a program that runs whenever something reminds us of those images.

The Science Behind Tetris and Trauma

Here’s where Tetris comes in. Studies have shown that playing Tetris for 10 minutes immediately following a traumatic experience can prevent the solidification of those disturbing memories. One study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, found that engaging in a visually demanding task like Tetris can disrupt the brain’s memory consolidation process, reducing the likelihood of flashbacks.

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References:

1. Playing ‘Tetris’ after trauma may prevent flashbacks

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Feel free to share this post with anyone who might benefit from these insights. Together, we can tackle trauma and improve mental health, one Tetris block at a time!