The world of gaming has been soaring since the 1980s.It reached the zenith with availability of internet across the world. The current scenario is rather precarious with people picking up gaming vs anti-gaming stand. So much so, that mental health professional now recognise that gaming as a serious concern.
There are many reasons why one is drawn to the world of gaming. In fact, many researchers have been propelled to study the psychological, social and the physical effects of gaming. Initial researches brought about certain significant benefits of gaming like:
● It helps in effective decision making;
● It is a relatively easier and effective way to relax;
● One can experience heightened levels of alertness;
● Social bonding is facilitated among groups that play the same game;
● Improvement in eye-hand coordination.
Yet over a couple of past years, the international community comprising of parents, educators, medical practitioners and mental health professionals have repeatedly raised their concern over the issue. As more and more games are developed, the bar of challenge has gone up. The first key question is arousing interest and maintaining it through structured tasks that are challenging but effectively rewarding. What keeps us glued to the game? Is it an escape from the reality, a sense of virtual achievement or an addiction?
Even as researchers are working on these questions, we do have some of the answers. For beginners, a game is often just a pastime. A seemingly harmless way to relax off in the comfort of one’s room. However, at some point the gamer ceases to exist as his/her life is taken over by the game. A relief from a stressful situation now becomes a means of avoiding the problem altogether. In real time, the problem may continue to exist or even proliferate but as long as one is gaming, it is safely put away in a corner.
A sense of achievement is sought after in our daily pursuits. However, the more we lurk about for it, the harder it seems. We need to constantly keep moving from extrinsic rewards to intrinsic rewards to satisfy the never- seething thirst to achieve. We have to make and redefine our goals while we live up with the frustration of not being able to make it. The virtual world serves us on a platter. We have well-defined goals (set for us); we have our targets within the range and the control to reaching them in our hands. All we need to do is try repeatedly until we are there and then conveniently start for the next one. Bingo! We are sure achievers in the virtual space.
It is not uncommon to see people give up on their life-goals, routines, sleep and even food in the process of gaming. Sometimes, they may continue for as many as 10-12 hours until absolute physical exhaustion takes over them. So, why is it that a seemingly motivated, focused and intelligent human being chooses to turn into an extension of the game itself? Studies have shown that gaming triggers the same neural pathways in the brain as are triggered in a substance abuse. The pleasure centres in the brain are rewarded and motivated to seek more. Hence, the thrill and the feel-good feeling after endless hours of gaming.
A few suggestions to limit gaming are:
● Start Tracking Your Gaming Time.
● Set Limits for Yourself.
● Start Choosing Games Wisely.
● Let Go of Your “Hardcore Gamer” Cred.
● Earn Gaming Time.
● Start Watching Other People Play Games Instead.
● Go on a Gaming Detox.
● Talk to a Counselor
● Figure out What You’re Escaping. Though most of it shall remain debatable the choice to win a game or to define winning strategies in life lies with each one of us. Every time we choose to continue with a maladaptive way of functioning, we lose an alternate version of our healthier self. The choice lies in our hands. Maybe, that is the best challenge to have.