How to Overcome Your Video Game Addiction
February 7th, 2010Many of us grew up learning to play tag or hide and seek. Others of us played or still play cards with family and friends, and still others enjoyed playing board games, but very few of us ever found ourselves becoming addicted to such pastimes. The latest advancements in the game playing world present just that possibility though — addiction.
With the creation of the game console, and then computer-based video games, we were introduced to a new world of game playing interaction. These games evolved so that soon the player was able to mold game characters after himself, create empires, and control worlds. This furthered an already present ability of video games to offer escapism, which in turn led to addiction for some players.
Just as with addictions like gambling, drugs or alcohol, or biting your fingernails, video gaming addiction is something we often don’t notice until it’s too late. Even then, while it might be something we consider a problem, it often doesn’t seem so serious as to be considered an addiction. However, the power of video games can have wide reaching effects. They can inhibit or limit social interaction, eat into work time, diminish time devoted to healthy outdoor activities, even affect your diet.
Friends and family
Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t just those lacking social skills or without “lives” that end up becoming addicted to video gaming. Many game addicts are normally functioning adults, with friends, families, and jobs. In such cases, one of the best ways to overcome addiction is though these human resources. Scheduling family outings can be a great way to get away from the video game console or computer to a place where it won’t be a distraction. Sometimes all it takes is a discussion with those closest to you to discover how an addiction is negatively affecting their lives and force you Read the rest of this entry »

