Help please. Unprefered habit...Every time I feel anxiety, I play this online game for an hour.?

Question

Its not ruining my life, but I would like to have enough control as an adult to say, I want to deal with my anxiety another way. For sure the game is not my only solution and I believe there maybe something more productive I can do to relax/work out my issues. Any encouragement/tips?

Thankyou.

Answer 1

There's also something more destructive you could be doing - so I don't necessarily if, for now, you're using the game to alleviate anxiety its such a bad thing.

You could try listing things to do or whatever else may be on your mind on paper. Doing that can help direct your thoughts to something other than your anxiety, and it can actually help clear your mind if you list things to do on paper.

You could try listening to some kind of music you find relaxing (not rock music) for a half hour or so. You could do something like a half hour of making a list, a half hour of music.

You could try setting an alarm to go off after 45 minutes of playing at first. After a few days of that set it to go off after 30 minutes of playing. Use the other half hour to write a to do list (or some other list) or listen to music.

Find somewhere where nobody can hear you (and use a low voice to make sure nobody does), and have an actual talk with yourself about what is making you have anxiety. In other words, be your own therapist when it comes to the anxiety. If you don't want to talk about the anxiety just have a conversation with yourself about something you like (like why you like the brand of cell phone you have or what's good about your television or some book or whatever). Getting your mind off the cause of the anxiety and onto something meaningless and "neutral" can do what playing the game does.

If you have anxiety there's a good chance it isn't forever. Considering that, I don't think wasting an hour a day on a game is a big deal if it makes you feel better (as long as it doesn't get to be more and more). Some people take anti-depressants or tranquilizers. Some drink. Some eat too much. Playing a game is among the least objectionable ways to help anxiety.

Don't forget: You are being "adult" by choosing a harmless way to help your anxiety. You are being "adult" by realizing you don't want it to get to be too much. There's even a good chance one day you'll just realize you're sick of the game and not bother with it.

Answer 2

I don't think playing an online game is necessarily a bad thing, people deal with stress in different ways, reading a book, watching t.v., lying down etc. Sometimes exercise is good too as long as heavy breathing doesn't cause an anxiety panic attack for you. But if your anxiety is really bad you should consult a Doctor and/or a close friend.

Answer 3

Seems like a pretty good way to relieve anxiety to me. I mean you're not hurting anyone and you're not hurting yourself, could be a lot worse. That or take up a productive hobby in something that interests you, gardening, exercising, etc.