An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but a new study by The Stress Institute has found that a few minutes of casual gaming per day may actually reduce stress and keep you from “going postal.”

According to The Stress Institute’s Dr. Kathleen Hall, players who take a break from their hectic lives and let the stress of the day melt away by playing casual games lead healthier and more balanced lives. Playing games such as those found on Xbox Live Arcade, the Wii Channel, the PlayStation Store or at Pogo.com provide needed mental breaks, reduce stress and restore the mind and body connection.

Some of the health benefits of playing casual games include stress reduction (playing even five minutes of games like Poppit! or Lottso! Deluxe can lower blood pressure and stave off anxiety, depression and disease) and brain health (games like Brain Age, Word Whomp or Tumble Bees stimulate the brain and help to keep it sharp and healthy).

So if you ever get razzed by your husband, wife or parents about spending too much time gaming, tell them you’re just relieving some stress and go about your merry way. Just remember that first-person shooters don’t necessarily have the same relaxing effect.