Play Games to Stay Sane? Sure, As Long As You Know the Limits

In the midst of life's pressures, work demands, and endless overthinking, gaming has become a quick escape for many people.

"Play a bit to avoid stress."

Does this sound familiar? You're not alone. Playing games can indeed have positive effects, but like everything good — if overdone, it can backfire.

Gaming and Mental Health: A Relationship More Complex Than It Seems

Some studies show that playing games in moderation can help:

• Improve mood
• Reduce short-term stress
• Provide a sense of achievement and control
• Train focus and brain strategy

Games can be a healthy alternative to shift your mind from anxiety or pressure momentarily. Especially for those who struggle to open up directly, the virtual world offers a safe space for a while.

When Gaming Becomes the Main Escape

There’s a fine line between “playing for healing” and “playing to constantly escape.” When games are used as an escape from all uncomfortable emotions — without balancing with other coping mechanisms — gaming can turn into an unseen addiction.

Some signs you need to watch out for:

• Delaying important tasks just to continue playing
• Feeling guilty after playing for too long
• Struggling to stop even when your body is tired or sleepy
• Using games more to 'numb' yourself than to face issues

This condition can trigger a tiring cycle: stress ➝ play ➝ guilt ➝ more stress ➝ play again. It's not healing; it becomes a loop that leads to burnout.

Make Gaming a Companion, Not an Escape

It doesn't mean you have to stop playing entirely. The key is mindful gaming — playing with awareness, not automatically.

Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy relationship with gaming:

• Set clear playing time (e.g., 1 hour after work)
• Choose genres that make you happy, not competitive ones that make you frustrated
• Stop when you start feeling tired or sleepy, not after "one more game"
• Balance with offline activities: light exercise, journaling, chatting, walking
• Be aware of your emotions before and after playing — do you feel calm, or do you feel emptier?

Games can be a tool to help maintain sanity in this busy world. But we still need more than that — real interactions, quality rest, and space to fully feel human.