Playing video games is fun as it is one of the many recreational activities. You can enjoy playing with your friends. If you are playing the games for just fun it is not harmful but if it becomes an addiction than it can have adverse effects on your mental and physical health. These games can be tempting, and it is possible that a person finds it difficult to stop playing.
With the increased technology the video games are becoming more and more attractive. If you find it difficult to get away from the video games even for important things like your education or job, it is important to recognize such a situation as an addiction and look for solutions.
There is not much research on the video game addiction, so people often fail to see it as one. It is similar to the impulsive behavior that is the cause of all the other addictions. Certain habits or manners are clear signs of addiction like sacrificing time at school or work, playing in secret, using games as an escape from reality and becoming alienated.
There are several steps you can take to deal with video game addiction.
1. Limiting the Time to just an Hour or Less Per Day
It is important to make sure that the video games are not consuming too much of a person’s time. The games are tempting with the new 3D models and lifelike animations. You should place a limit on the time your child is spending while playing video games. Try to indulge them in other activities. Encourage them to involve in physical activities. Let the game time be just an hour and make sure that you take a break so you can keep up the time limitation.
2. Keeping Track of Game Playing
Maintaining track of time that a person is dedicating to the games is vital. When you pay attention to the time, you will notice little things such as what motivates the person to play more games. You may find that they may do it when they are bored, depressed or sad. If that is the case, you should look for solutions to those problems.
If you know what is motivating them to play them, you can solve the problem and deal with the addiction. If they are playing it to escape from reality and their problems, then it is important that you find a way to get rid of the dependency.
3. Paying Attention to Issues that May Arise from Excessive Gaming
If you observe that there are certain bad habits that the person is developing because of the games that they are playing, you should get rid of the game. It is possible that certain games hurt one’s attitude. They may show signs of a troubled personality or develop violent capacities if they play violent games for a long time.
If your child is playing video games, it is important that you not just keep an eye on how long they are playing it but also on the type of games they are playing. Make sure that they are playing games which are not excessively violent.
4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Some of the more severe methods for dealing with the addiction is to make sure that the thinking process is retained from thinking about the games to thinking of other activities which are more productive. You can focus your thinking on fun things such as playing outside or indulging in games with your friends etc.
5. Building Trust
There are methods for trust building that can help people who are socially incompetent to restore confidence. These people prefer to spend time indoors because they are not confident enough to go out and build new relationships. Video games are a way of escaping and getting lost in the gaming world.
6. Encouraging Outdoor Activities
If your’re not going out and failing to enjoy the nature and outdoors, then you will find solace in technology. Technology seems to be an excellent alternative to going out. Try to plan more outdoor and wilderness activities such as camping, fishing, etc.
These are good and valid ways of dealing with video game addiction.
Featured photo credit: CTV News via ctvnews.ca
