Studies at Oxford University in the UK and at McGill University in Canada have found that after playing games online, participants had lowered the amount of the stress hormone cortisol by an average of seventeen percent. Participants also found that they felt happier afterwards as well. Similar results were found in a study conducted by an Eastern Carolina University in the US.

The reason proposed for lowered stress and a happier feeling is that playing games online serves as an escape mechanism. When one’s mind is focus on games, such as online blackjack, their mind was diverted from the worries, anger and frustration that was causing them to be stressed.

As it pertains to online blackjack, after seeing the results from these universities studies, an online casino conducted its own independent casual survey. They found that 74% for their online blackjack players felt that they were less stress and happier after playing; they felt that playing was good for their health.

The remaining 26% of those online blackjack players did not feel that their stress had been reduced. Of that 26%, the majority of those players were playing in high stakes games. With large amounts of their money on the line it is no wonder that their stress was not reduced.

Stress has been linked to health issues including hearth problems, a reduced immune system, irritable bowel syndrome and headaches. Stress has also been linked to cancer as a possible contributing factor. Destructive behaviors are also linked to stress: excessive drinking, social instability and over eating, all of which can cause more health related issues.

So if playing some low stakes online blackjack can lower your stress a bit, you might want to give it a try. Or if you are not in the position to wager money, you can even try playing for free at online casinos.