Depression is a primary emotion that can cause relapse. Even while prioritizing sobriety in your life, it can be easy to fall into old unproductive emotional patterns. One of these negative patterns can be isolating yourself while playing video games. While there are ways to play video games socially and in a way that promotes a healthy mindset, it is important to be aware of the pitfalls. This article discusses several bad habits to avoid when partaking in video games.
The Role That Video Games Play in Depression
Playing video games is a common way to relax. However, if used for the wrong reasons, video games can wreak havoc on our emotional well-being. Research published In Frontiers in Psychology has indicated that when people use video games for emotional escape, as opposed to using them as a social activity, there is a link to higher rates of emotional isolation. Those who are hooked on video games for escapism may develop feelings of disquiet and fretfulness. This is because when a person spends too much time playing video games, they may be avoiding their emotions and problems.
If you are experiencing a low mood, playing video games can be seen as an escape from reality. Though this can help for a short while, it can lead to more isolation and contribute to the rejection of conventional activities. As a result, your low mood can progressively worsen. This worsening mood can sometimes lead you to become addicted to screens. It can also lead you to use alcohol or drugs in conjunction with this activity. When two addictions are mixed, the downsides of both are heightened in extreme ways.
The Dangers of Isolation
According to Brain Sciences, the prevalence of the dual use of substances and isolative gaming among adolescents has been a rising problem. The use of both simultaneously magnifies a sense of withdrawal from life until the very idea of talking to people can induce overwhelming anxiety in the user. This further pushes them down a hole of isolation and depression.
Isolation is usually caused by a huge life incident or trauma that has driven you to seek an escape. Both video games and substances are a type of hiding. This hiding can give your brain and heart a break from life. However, medicating the problem doesn’t lead to healing. It only worsens the situation and causes dangerous symptoms.
How to Prioritize Sobriety
One of the key ways to beat depression is by focusing on sobriety. This might mean skipping out on things that could tempt you to fall back into old habits and reinforce depression. The more you engage in enjoyable and health-promoting activities, the less depressed you will likely feel.
To stay sober, you’ll need to create a schedule of healthy activities you can stick to. Make achievable goals for yourself, whether it’s day-by-day, week-by-week, or month-by-month. Stick to a routine that revolves around healthy habits like therapy, group meetings, eating well, working out, and getting adequate sleep. You can take small steps toward opening yourself to a healthy life and other people.
Try new hobbies that don’t involve substances or tech, such as painting, music, yoga, or volunteering. Stay in touch with people who are supportive of your journey to sobriety, and discuss your progress and setbacks with them. It may be best to just text for a time until you feel strong enough to talk with someone. Remember that recovery isn’t an overnight journey. However, taking those first steps toward sobriety is a huge victory. Prioritizing sobriety can help you manage depression and live a healthy life.
Find New Hobbies
Discovering new things to do that you enjoy can be an effective approach to combatting depression. This can act as a positive focal point and prevent you from dwelling on negative thoughts. Think about things that make you happy and please you. You might like playing music or painting. Or you may prefer outdoor activities such as hiking, jogging, or walking. Engaging in these types of pastimes can help you remain upbeat and content.
It can be beneficial to replace playing video games with other activities. For example, if you regularly play games for long periods, try switching it up with something else like reading or going for a stroll. There are many other ways to pass the time that doesn’t involve sitting in front of a monitor for hours. In general, developing new hobbies is a positive way to tackle depression, plus it enables you to prioritize your sobriety more easily. With a little bit of initiative, you can identify activities that uplift you while monitoring your mental well-being.
Finding Freedom From Depression
While these activities may help combat isolation, sometimes they won’t be enough. If you feel you are being swallowed up by your need to game and abuse substances, it’s time to seek help. At First Steps Recovery, we can help you find the root of these desires. Our staff would love to talk with you about how to better your position in life and find freedom through socialization. We can all find strength by talking to others about our struggles. Join us in finding hope and health.
Addiction is not your defining trait. While you may struggle with addictive tendencies, that does not mean you are destined for a life of habit. First Steps Recovery is dedicated to your full and successful recovery. We want you not only to be free from perpetual substance use cravings but also from the emotional baggage that inevitably follows. We have a campus full of trained clinicians and therapists waiting to serve you in any way they can. You will not be forced into treatments that don’t serve your overall health. If you think you are struggling with an addiction, taking the first step toward treatment may save your life. Please contact First Steps Recovery at (844) 489-0836.
Addiction is not your defining trait. While you may struggle with addictive tendencies, that does not mean you are destined for a life of habit. First Steps Recovery is dedicated to your full and successful recovery. We want you not only to be free from perpetual substance use cravings but also from the emotional baggage that inevitably follows. We have a campus full of trained clinicians and therapists waiting to serve you in any way they can. You will not be forced into treatments that don’t serve your overall health. If you think you are struggling with an addiction, taking the first step toward treatment may save your life. Please contact First Steps Recovery at (844) 489-0836.
