user1105: I'm a software engineer, mostly working from home so I get to schedule my time however I want. I noticed few things recently.
If I play more than 3 games a day, I can't work afterwords, I'd be mentally tired. I used to think that Chess makes me more productive and I kept playing every few hours a 5 min match to stay focused, but noticed that if the match is hard to win, I can't focus on work afterwards or if I was in time trouble.
I'm avoiding playing chess these days because of that and considering leaving the game. Is it just me or is what I described a common problem?

user12873: I like playing some 1 0 chess once in a while for often 20-30 minutes.  I find it helps to actually relieve stress/nervous energy that I gathered when working.
It's obviously different for many people though.  If you spend more effort on the game, it will tax you more.  I haven't really heard of it exhausting an individual for the rest of the day, however.

user14187: I have the same problem, and I think it's caused by two factors:
1- Bad time management.
2- Taking the games (win, loss) and rating seriously.
It happens to me that when I am winning and then I lose on time. I keep thinking of the game, even after I close the app. It's because I keep thinking that I should've played faster here or there. When I lose due to bad position or blunders, or if the position was equal, I run the analysis and keep thinking of the missed chances to win.
I did like what you did. It's been a week or so that I haven't played chess games. I only solve puzzles and do lessons. No online full games. This keeps my mind working (refreshed by the distraction of a different activity) and I don't have to think of what went wrong!

1105: <p>I'm a software engineer, mostly working from home so I get to schedule my time however I want. I noticed few things recently.</p>

<p>If I play more than 3 games a day, I can't work afterwords, I'd be mentally tired. I used to think that Chess makes me more productive and I kept playing every few hours a 5 min match to stay focused, but noticed that if the match is hard to win, I can't focus on work afterwards or if I was in time trouble.</p>

<p>I'm avoiding playing chess these days because of that and considering leaving the game. Is it just me or is what I described a common problem?</p>
 12873: <p>I like playing some 1 0 chess once in a while for often 20-30 minutes.  I find it helps to actually relieve stress/nervous energy that I gathered when working.</p>

<p>It's obviously different for many people though.  If you spend more effort on the game, it will tax you more.  I haven't really heard of it exhausting an individual for the rest of the day, however.</p>
 14187: <p>I have the same problem, and I think it's caused by two factors:
1- Bad time management.
2- Taking the games (win, loss) and rating seriously.</p>

<p>It happens to me that when I am winning and then I lose on time. I keep thinking of the game, even after I close the app. It's because I keep thinking that I should've played faster here or there. When I lose due to bad position or blunders, or if the position was equal, I run the analysis and keep thinking of the missed chances to win.</p>

<p>I did like what you did. It's been a week or so that I haven't played chess games. I only solve puzzles and do lessons. No online full games. This keeps my mind working (refreshed by the distraction of a different activity) and I don't have to think of what went wrong!</p>
