Zero objectives. Zero performance metrics. Pure regulation.
Digital Immersion Protocols for Cognitive Recovery
Beyond meditation. Beyond escapism. A structured method to lower cortisol and restore focus using high-fidelity virtual environments.
Mairsis transforms the world's most immersive software into tools for mental stillness
Stop Trying to "Fix" Your Exhaustion.
Traditional stress relief demands effort: explaining your feelings, sitting in uncomfortable silence, or forcing positivity. For the modern professional, these are just new tasks on an endless to-do list.
True recovery requires Passive Active Flow-a state where your mind is occupied enough to stop ruminating, but unchallenged enough to rest. We replace the "work" of wellness with a structured digital signal that interrupts the stress cycle automatically. No effort required. Just input.
Engineered for Cognitive Restoration
Scientific literature confirms that low-demand, rhythmic environments stabilize attention faster than silence alone. Mairsis leverages this by designing protocols that use specific, high-fidelity game worlds as regulated mental spaces.
We strip away the chaos of modern gaming. You do not play stories, chase objectives, or track progress. Instead, you enter a curated digital environment with a singular purpose: to hold your attention just enough to stop the spiral of thought, without asking your brain to perform. It is a mental reset, built inside a world you can control.
The Mairsis Protocol:
5 Pillars of Regulation.
Effective stress management cannot be one-size-fits-all. We have codified therapeutic gaming into five distinct modalities, each engineered to target a specific stage of cognitive fatigue. This is not random play, it is a system. From acute anxiety to chronic burnout, our framework ensures you apply the correct digital tool for your physiological state.
We Build the Ritual. You Just Enter the World.
The therapeutic effect of gaming doesn’t come from "winning." It comes from presence - the feeling of stepping out of your life and into a different one. But finding that feeling takes work. Mairsis removes the friction between you and the experience.
1. The Immersion (The Feeling)
We don't just recommend games, we curate atmospheres. Whether you need the isolation of a snow-covered mountain or the neon hum of a futuristic city, we identify the exact digital worlds that trigger the brain's "disassociation" response. You get the character, the story, and the visual awe - without the grind.
2. The Setup (The Expertise)
A stressful session often starts with bad settings. We act as your technical concierge.The Settings: We tell you exactly which HUD elements to turn off to remove screen clutter.The Audio: We specify the exact sound mix to prioritize environmental ambience over combat noise.The Hardware: From controller dead-zones to monitor calibration, we ensure your physical interface is invisible, so nothing breaks the spell.
3. The Protocol (The Plan)
You don’t have time to "figure it out." We give you a flight plan.“Walk from Point A to Point B.”“Drive this specific route at night.”“Complete this one puzzle, then stop.”
We transform a sprawling 100-hour game into a focused, 30-minute session of pure regulation. You log in with a purpose, and you log off restored.
Repurposing the World's Most Powerful Tech
Billions of dollars are spent creating digital worlds designed to addict you. We have reverse-engineered them to restore you. Mairsis strips away the skinner boxes, loot loops, and dopamine traps to reveal the architectural beauty underneath.
The Upgrade:
Hold Attention Naturally: No need to force focus. The environment does the heavy lifting for you.Familiarity as Safety: For those who grew up with controllers in their hands, this is a language you already speak. It is a return to a safe space, without the immaturity of "gaming culture."Your Entry Point:
No Skill Required: If you can hold a controller, you can do this. There are no reflexes to test.No "Gamer" Identity Needed: You are not playing a game; you are running a protocol. The controller is just the interface.
The Stress Protocol
A guided 20-minute session built inside a calm exploration environment.
Designed to reduce acute stress activation by shifting attention into a low-demand interactive space.No instructions to “relax.”
No performance metrics.
No artificial calm.
Just a structured experience that ends differently than it begins.
Grounded in research.
Studies in cognitive science and game research show that non-competitive, exploratory digital environments are associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and attentional regulation.Mairsis protocols are designed around these findings, not trends.
Why this is structured
Calm doesn’t come from more information.
It comes from knowing exactly what to do, and what not to do.Mairsis protocols are intentionally limited, precisely designed, and meant to be used as they are.
Nothing extra.
Nothing to optimize.
Stress is just the beginning.
Overwhelm
Anxiety
Numbness
Sadness
Anger
Each state requires a different interaction, pace, and constraint.
Mairsis
Reset your life
Thank you
Stress doesn’t need effort.
For the next 20 - 30 minutes, just follow.
This is not a game. It’s not therapy.
It’s a short, intentional session designed to slow your nervous system using calm game worlds.
You don’t need to improve.
You don’t need to fix anything.
You don’t need to finish tasks, win, or progress.For the next 20 minutes, nothing is asked of you.Stress fades faster when effort stops.
Sit comfortably.
Lower your game volume.
No objectives. No combat.
Use any calm, open area.
Console or PC is fine.
When you’re ready, continue.
Entering the Environment (2–5 min)
Load Discovery Mode.
Spawn into the open desert region.Do not open the map again after this moment.Begin walking forward at a natural pace.No destination.
Let the World Lead (5–10 min)
Walk in a single direction.
Avoid turning unless the terrain gently invites it.Let landmarks pass without approaching them.If a thought arises, acknowledge it and return attention to movement.
Focus cue (soft highlight):
Horizon line
Footsteps
Ambient sound
Sustained Presence (10–20 min)
You may now explore freely.
Climb slowly.
Pause when you reach higher ground.
Observe scale.Do not interact with menus.
Do not sprint.This is the core of the session.Expert note:
This phase supports flow by balancing sensory input with minimal demand.
Quiet Absorption (20–25 min)
Reduce movement speed.
Stop occasionally.Notice:Light direction
Color transitions
Environmental depthIf stress returns, slow further.
Returning Without Abruptness
Find a stable view.
Stand still.
Take three slow breaths.When ready, pause the game.
Do not rush to another activity.
Aftercare (Optional)
You may feel:Lighter mental load
Reduced urgency
Mild detachment from timeThis is expected.Avoid immediately returning to high-stimulus content if possible.
Session Design Principles
This session reduces stress by:Eliminating performance pressure
Using large-scale environments
Encouraging sustained attention
Supporting flow without objectives
You were not entertained.
You were absorbed.
This is no longer:
“Here’s a game, relax”
This is:
“Here is a guided attentional experience using a digital environment”
You just did a 20-minute stress reset
Take a moment before you click anything.
Notice:Your breathingYour internal paceAny change in tension
Subtle counts
If you don’t feel ‘calm’, that’s okay.
The goal was less noise, not perfection.
One tiny suggestion
Do one small thing next:Drink a glass of water, orTurn off notifications for an hour, orStep away from screens for five minutes.
Other reset sessions exist for:
Overwhelm, Anxiety, Numbness, Sadness, Anger.
How Calm Games Support Stress Reduction
Video games are interactive digital environments that engage attention, perception, and motor control. A growing body of research has examined how certain types of video game engagement influence physiological stress response, mood, and cognitive regulation.This page summarizes empirical findings on how non-competitive, self-directed games are associated with stress modulation in adults, and how that applies to people regardless of prior gaming experience.
Stress, Attention, and Recovery: Theoretical Foundations
Psychological stress arises when cognitive demands exceed perceived coping capacity, leading to elevated sympathetic nervous system activity and decreased executive function.
A core mechanism in stress reduction is restoring directed attention and reducing cognitive load.Attention Restoration Theory (ART), established in environmental psychology, posits that environments requiring “soft fascination” - low-effort, immersive engagement - allow the directed attention system to replenish.Calm gameplay environments share key features with restorative settings:large, visually rich spacesminimal time pressureself-paced explorationThese characteristics support reduced cognitive fatigue, a precursor to stress reduction.
Key Research on Gaming and Stress
1. Calm, Non-Competitive Game Engagement and Well-BeingA study by the Oxford Internet Institute (2020) analyzed self-reported well-being among players of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Plants vs. Zombies. Greater engagement in low-pressure, non-competitive gameplay was associated with higher subjective well-being scores.Implication:
Self-directed play in visually open, non-task-pressured games correlates with perceived reductions in stress and anxiety symptoms.
2. Stress Biomarkers and Video Game PlaySeveral laboratory studies have measured cortisol (a stress hormone) before and after gameplay. Results indicate that:Low-arousal, exploration-focused games can lead to decreases in salivary cortisol after gameplay sessions.High-arousal competitive games may increase physiological stress responses if played without choice or intent.Conclusion:
The direction of stress response depends on game characteristics and player intention.
Games and Active CopingExperimental work has shown that when adults play games as a form of intentional coping (i.e., chosen as a break or reset), measures of negative affect and perceived stress decrease compared to passive rest or unrelated activities.
What Kind of Games Demonstrate These Effects
Features linked to stress reduction:Self-paced interactionExploration with minimal failure statesLack of competition or performance rewardVisually immersive worldsQuiet soundscapes
Who This Applies To
Non-GamersResearch indicates that prior gaming experience is not necessary for the beneficial effects to emerge.
What matters is:intention to use the activity as a breakminimal performance pressuresustained, low-effort engagementNon-gamers may require brief setup guidance, but the cognitive mechanisms remain the same.
Ex-GamersIndividuals who previously played games but stopped can experience similar effects if the play is:voluntarynon-competitivesensory-richPrior experience may make setup easier, but does not change the basic stress modulation pathways.
Current GamersFor habitual players, the difference between stress reduction and stress induction depends on game selection and intentionality:Deliberate, exploration-oriented sessions support relaxationCompetitive or high-adrenaline play can sustain sympathetic activation
Summary of Empirical Points
Stress modulation via gaming is mediated by:Game features - non-competitive, self-paced environmentsPlayer intent - chosen as a break, not as a taskCognitive engagement pattern - soft fascination, low executive loadEmpirical sources show associations between calm gaming and subjective well-being, as well as physiological markers of stress.
References
Kaplan & Kaplan (1991), Experience of Nature - Attention Restoration Theory.Oxford Internet Institute (2020) - Calm, non-competitive gameplay linked to wellbeing.Russoniello, O’Brien & Parks (2009) - Casual play reduces self-reported stress.Skoric, Teo & Neo (2009) - Game context matters for emotional outcomes.Russoniello et al. (2013) - Autonomy in games boosts mood, reduces stress.Ferguson & Olson (2013) - Voluntary play does not harm and can benefit well-being.Klimmt, Hartmann & Frey (2007) - Control and low threat equal relaxation.
Mixed Methods Study on Open-World Games (2024) - immersive open-world games were associated with cognitive escapism, relaxation, and improved well-being among adult players, suggesting immersive exploration contributes to stress relief.Osaka University Mental Well-Being Study (2024) - a large observational study found that video game play was associated with improved mental well-being, based on data from tens of thousands of Japanese respondents aged 10–69.Oxford Internet Institute Mood Study (2024) - analysis of game session data showed that over 70% of players reported positive mood changes during play, indicating in-session mood uplift effects.Oxford Well-Being Context Study (2025) - recent work emphasizes that quality and context of play-not total hours-predict associations between gaming and adult well-being, underscoring that how games are played matters more than how long.Meta-Analysis of Video Game Well-Being (2025) - combined global findings showed that many players used games during COVID-19 as a tool for emotional coping, stress reduction, and relaxation, even when time played was not strongly linked to well-being.
Mairsis
Reset your life
Before the Session Begins
This page prepares you for a guided stress-reduction session using Assassin’s Creed Origins in Discovery Mode.
No combat. No objectives. No performance.
Only slow exploration in a visually rich, open environment.
ZERO-LATENCY IMMERSION.
Do not start the protocol until these four conditions are met. Mairsis is not a game; it is a controlled environment. Treat it as such.
1. THE PHYSICAL ANCHOR (Hardware)
Standardize your input to guarantee the output.
The Display:Rule: Ambient light must be lower than screen brightness.Requirement: Turn off overhead lights. Bias lighting (LED behind screen) is permitted. Pitch black is optimal.Distance: Sit 20% closer than your normal posture. Fill your peripheral vision.The Audio:Mandatory: Over-ear headphones or Noise-Canceling Earbuds.Prohibited: TV Speakers / Soundbars. (Spatial audio is required for the neurological trigger).Volume: Set to "Immersion Level" (60-70%). You must hear background wind, not just dialogue.The Controller:Vibration: ON. (Haptic feedback is a key grounding signal).Connection: Wired preferred (to reduce input lag), but wireless is acceptable if fully charged.
Optional (recommended):
Dim lighting
Phone on silent
hoose Your Platform Choose Your Platform
Choose your architecture. We have calibrated the settings for each.
PC
Windows PC
Keyboard + mouse or controllerConsole
PlayStation 4 / 5
Xbox One / Series X|SNo mods. No additional software.
Only the base game and Discovery Mode.
Start From the Main Menu
Launch Assassin’s Creed Origins.
Do not load a story save.
Do not continue a campaign.
From the main menu, select:DISCOVERY TOURThis mode removes combat, missions, and failure states.
Activate Discovery Mode
Discovery Mode allows free movement through the world without enemies, stress, or objectives.
Select:Discovery Tour: Ancient EgyptFree exploration modeYou cannot lose.
Nothing is chasing you.
There is no goal to complete.
Session Settings (Recommended)
Before starting, open Settings and adjust the following:
Camera
Camera Shake: OFF
Motion Blur: OFF (if available)Controls
Sensitivity: Medium or Low
Invert Y-Axis: OptionalAudio
Music Volume: Low
Ambient Sounds: HighDialogue: OptionalThese settings reduce sensory overload and motion discomfort.
Where the Session Begins
When prompted to choose a location, select:
Open desert areas
Riverbanks (Nile)
Small villages
Elevated viewpointsAvoid dense cities for your first session.You are choosing space, not content.
How to Move (That’s It)
You only need three actions:
Move forward
Look around
StopWalking is enough.
Running is optional.
Climbing is optional.If you stop moving, the session is still working.
What You Actually Do
There are no tasks.
You may:
Walk in a straight line
Follow the river
Stand still and observe
Turn the camera slowly
Sit on elevated terrainIf your mind wanders, let it.
If you stop, stay stopped.The environment does the work.
How Long to Stay
Recommended duration:
Minimum: 15 minutes
Ideal: 20–30 minutesDo not exceed 45 minutes in one session.
End when:Your breathing slows
Your movement naturally stops
You feel less urgency to “do something”
How to End Cleanly
Pause the game.
Exit to menu.
Do not switch to Story Mode.Sit for one minute before standing up.No reflection required.
No tracking required.
You’re Not a Gamer
You are not expected to:
Be good
Learn mechanics
Understand the story
Play correctlyYou are not playing a game.
You are using a digital environment.
You Are Ready
If the game is open
If Discovery Mode is active
If the world is calmThen the session has already started.
Anxious
Overwhelmed
Sad
Angry
Numb
Lonely
Before You Begin
This session is designed for moments of heightened anxiety, restlessness, or mental looping.
You will not rush.
You will not optimize.
You will not prepare for what comes next.Your only task is stability.
Before starting the session:
Sit comfortably
Reduce background noise if possible
Ensure you have 30 uninterrupted minutes
You will start only when you feel ready.