Gaming is undoubtedly an engaging, exciting, and mind-opening hobby. In fact, that can very well be the problem for some people. Although it’s not a topic that many fans like to address, gaming addiction is real, and if the time you spend gaming is getting in the way of your other responsibilities, like your family or work-life, then it’s time to get it under control. Here, we’re going to look at some of the risks of an uncontrolled gaming habit and what you can do to mitigate them.
Track Your Gaming Habits
First of all, if you really want to do something to change what you think might be a bad habit, then you need to get an idea of what you’re actually doing. Keeping a gaming journal can help you get a better idea of how long you spend gaming, as well as if you do it in response to any triggers, such as hopping online for a few rounds of Call of Duty when you’re feeling stressed. This way, you can get a better idea of the behaviors that you want to cut down on, as well as potentially some of the factors that might make you a little more prone to video game addiction than other people.
Do What You Can To Protect Your Wallet
For some people, the risk isn’t just how much time they might spend while playing, but how much money they might spend, as well. Games with in-app purchases, especially mobile casino games, can easily lead to overspending if you’re not careful. These titles often use psychological tactics, whether it’s tempting you to play “one more game” at a cost, or using FOMO (the fear of missing out) to get you to try at the chance of rolling for another character. If you’re susceptible ot overspending in games, if you’re trying to game responsibly, it’s important to check whether they have microtransactions before time, and consider avoiding them, if they do. Otherwise, you might want to ensure that your smartphone, console, or other gaming platforms don’t have your financial details saved, so you won’t mindlessly buy another life, some chips, or whatever the game is trying to sell you.
Be Creative In Limiting Your Playtime
You can limit your playtime in a lot of different ways. You can, for instance, lay out a set time of game for gaming, like an hour after dinner or before bed, for instance. Set a time and be ready to save and shut off as soon as that alarm goes. Some consoles and platforms even allow you to turn on settings that will pause your game when you’ve played for a certain amount of time. However, some games make it even easier, allowing you to enjoy self-contained games without hours-long sessions. Mobile classic games like Spider Solitaire and Minesweeper are perfect for this. They’re also ideal for quick breaks, mental resets, or low-stakes entertainment that doesn’t demand ongoing time investment.
Balance It With Other Hobbies
Turning on a game is convenient, easy, and doesn’t require much investment if you already have a platform to game on. It makes it a very accessible hobby, but there’s a very good chance that you could find others that are just as, if not more engaging, to ensure that you don’t spend all of your free time gaming. Try to complement gaming with other hobbies like reading, drawing, going on walks, or working out so that you can enjoy a more well-rounded and robust life, rather than letting one aspect of your free time dominate so much of your time.
Be Mindful Of Your Mindset
Being mindful about why you’re playing can help you avoid forming unhealthy habits. Are you gaming to relax, socialize, escape, or out of boredom? Track how you feel before and after a session. If you’re often using games to avoid responsibilities or cope with stress, consider alternative outlets like talking to a friend, going for a walk, or trying a creative hobby. A lot of people do game simply because it’s a hobby they enjoy and it’s become a habit to indulge in it, but a lot of people also game as a means to regulate their own moods, and there are healthier ways to do that.
Gaming can be part of a healthy life, there’s no doubt about that. However, it requires you to come to terms with your own habits and proclivities to ensure that you can slot it into your own life responsibly and safely.
