Are videogames a unhealthy habit?

[BackInTheGame78]

Anyone here stopped played videogames and noticed any improvement?

Ive been working on some aspects of life, like getting rid of social media, improving eating habits, etc. But I still used to play video games on free time.

Is it really that bad as some places say about messing with dopamine system just like other instant gratification stuffs?

Depends on how long you are playing them. It it's 10-12 hours a day like it's your job then probably. If it's a few hours a week I don't see the issue.

 

[logicallefty]

Don’t play so much you let this happen

 

[T_Rex]

Thats true man! I'm coming with something in mind that I should be living in the reality, and doing real stuffs.

About release, I'm finding a great joy into doing calisthenics and walking/running in the evening. I'm following the mini-habits idea to do even it only push-up, but do it everyday. It's amazing how doing those things slowly can start to change your body. And this is quite pleasurable.

I also would like to learn some crafting skills, I'm learning to write fiction and hope to be able to write some book sharing my experiences with a tone of fiction... Just like "The way of the peaceful warrior" by Dan Millman.

I think it's something like sex. You could get this pleasure with porn or you can get it with real women. First one is artificial, it give pleasure but it's not like getting it from real stuff.

And physical activity also release dopamine...
The thing about lifting/calisthenics is that is can get very repetitive and boring over time, but you can and should find ways to make them more fun.

 

[Dr.Suave]

I play Fall Guys on ps4 most days. I found it is good for destressing but stresses me in a different way if I dont win quick haha. It can be a very addictive game, so what I do is play until I win one episode, then I stop.

 

[lost_blackbird]

Grand Theft Auto Online.
Doing heists with 3 of my mates from back home. It's like a phone call but with added comedy and violence.
We always have a right laugh playing GTAO. I'm approaching level 750, maybe I've spent too long in Los Santos.

 

[AureliusMaximus]

Battlefield series for me. Especially Battlefield One
Very easy to quit also as a game is usually exactly 30 minutes. Usually I just play for an hour. Playing with friends or just myself (whatever).
Mostly/randomly in the weekends. Not every weekend tho. Never during workdays. Don't have time for it.

 

[Blacksheep]

I play Fall Guys on ps4 most days. I found it is good for destressing but stresses me in a different way if I dont win quick haha. It can be a very addictive game, so what I do is play until I win one episode, then I stop.

Im playing star wars battlefront 2... And I found out this one is easy to play only for an hour just to have bit of fun in the end of the day.

And Im avoiding those ones who requires hours of playing. So it work well for me.

I try not to stress, but sometimes I feel that too when playing haha

 

[TonyJ78]

I play either Beat Saber or Thrill of the Fight on Oculus and it's an amazing cardio workout that doesn't get boring. So it really depends on what kind of games you're playing and how you're playing.

 

[AureliusMaximus]

I play either Beat Saber or Thrill of the Fight on Oculus and it's an amazing cardio workout that doesn't get boring. So it really depends on what kind of games you're playing and how you're playing.

Do people still puke when using and playing Oculus like it happened in the past?

I remember seeing people on YouTube etc. and it was quite funny because people got some serious nausea over it.

I don't know the science about it but it seems VR have a tendency to mess with the brains sensory mechanisms and the balance capability.

 

[Zimbabwe]

I play every single day, still go to the gym almost daily and still pick up chicks on a regular basis.

It's all about managing your time efficiently.

 

[devilkingx2]

Video games are more healthy or less unhealthy than most of the other things you could do. (Drinking, gambling, weed, equal to things like watching movies and shows.)

As well as the fact that nothing is 100% healthy (playing sports leads to tons of injuries, working out can lead to injuries and arthritis and such, etc.)

Plus as a philosophy life isn't purely about making money or getting buff (unless those are your primary passions) in my opinion life is about enjoying it, you can't be working or self improving 24/7. Have fun and play some games.

 

[Blacksheep]

I play every single day, still go to the gym almost daily and still pick up chicks on a regular basis.

It's all about managing your time efficiently.

True man! I started to implement it and its way better.

Also when you add stuffs you enjoy in our routine, for me it seems I dont abuse into other things... Like eating a lot to cope with the stress, or drinking so much.

So Im playing an hour daily, but also working out and studying. I know I cant do how much my idealized desire wants, but keeping some kind of consistency is what matters.

And when I allow myself to have some fun... Im observing myself more productive and happy.

 

[Blacksheep]

Video games are more healthy or less unhealthy than most of the other things you could do. (Drinking, gambling, weed, equal to things like watching movies and shows.)

As well as the fact that nothing is 100% healthy (playing sports leads to tons of injuries, working out can lead to injuries and arthritis and such, etc.)

Plus as a philosophy life isn't purely about making money or getting buff (unless those are your primary passions) in my opinion life is about enjoying it, you can't be working or self improving 24/7. Have fun and play some games.

Great point! Agree with you.

Only working and studying its very frustrating. And I see it with great potential to explode into a excessive addiction like overeating, drinking too much, etc.

Moderation is really the key, from what Im experiencing lately.

 

[Blacksheep]

Video games are more healthy or less unhealthy than most of the other things you could do. (Drinking, gambling, weed, equal to things like watching movies and shows.)

As well as the fact that nothing is 100% healthy (playing sports leads to tons of injuries, working out can lead to injuries and arthritis and such, etc.)

Plus as a philosophy life isn't purely about making money or getting buff (unless those are your primary passions) in my opinion life is about enjoying it, you can't be working or self improving 24/7. Have fun and play some games.

I tried to stay some days without gaming... And I just started to feel more desire to eat more junk foods and it actually happened. As soon as I stopped it, my cravings for food gone away. Same for alcohol and other things.

Being more kind to me is also helping to enjoy pleasure things without overdoing it.

 

[nismo-4]

Well, no man wants to spend every weekend home alone in front of his 4K smart TV and Playstation 5 unless he's creating games for it or being paid to play somehow.

Too much of anything (barring money) isn't good. Moderation fellas.

Just like porn. You can't tell a group of guys that if they stop watching porn they'll have IG models knocking on their doors begging these guys to pipe them in all 3 holes a month later.

I have a laptop with every video game from PC, NES, SNES, Game Boy (Color & Advance) N64, 3DO, Sega (all consoles), Atari, Intellivision, and Virtual Boy. Emulators are so awesone! But how often do I play? Not as much as I thought. When I landed my major airline gig, my priorities shifted, just like my finances. I'm doing so much better than I was when I first joined the SS board of moderators in 2013.

Alas, I don't get paid to play video games. It's a bad habit if overdone. Also, for getting laid, your dream girl likely isn't gonna hit you up on that dating app or social media. At some point you will desire the warmth that comes from holding a woman more than holding a PS5 controller.

That should cover it.

 

[2Rocky]

My generation was the first to have video games. Atari, Nintendo and Sega all came to market during my teens.

The substitution of digital experiences for real ones is alarming to me, and I think it has reduced people's ability to socialize in person. What was practically autistic behavior in the early 90's is commonplace today. No one will ever convince me that video game playing is a healthy habit...

 

[TonyJ78]

Do people still puke when using and playing Oculus like it happened in the past?

I remember seeing people on YouTube etc. and it was quite funny because people got some serious nausea over it.

I don't know the science about it but it seems VR have a tendency to mess with the brains sensory mechanisms and the balance capability.

I haven't had any people puke but I've known a couple people who said they get nauseous from it. I used to start feeling a little funny after playing for awhile but I'm used to it now.

It does mess with your brain because it's literally tricking you into seeing objects as 3-dimensional that are actually on a flat screen by feeding each eye with a slightly different image.

 

[tkazansky]

Anyone here stopped played videogames and noticed any improvement?

Ive been working on some aspects of life, like getting rid of social media, improving eating habits, etc. But I still used to play video games on free time.

Is it really that bad as some places say about messing with dopamine system just like other instant gratification stuffs?

In my view, they are bad.

Just my 0.02

T

 

[GhostApe]

No; they take up so little of my day, that when I stopped doing them I just found something else to take up the time - TV, social media, ETC.

Like most fun things that don't really get you anywhere (video games, porn, drinking, weed, etc) consume in moderation if you're worried they're hurting your quality of life.

 

[mrgoodstuff]

Anyone here stopped played videogames and noticed any improvement?

Ive been working on some aspects of life, like getting rid of social media, improving eating habits, etc. But I still used to play video games on free time.

Is it really that bad as some places say about messing with dopamine system just like other instant gratification stuffs?

You have to remove the time waster and add in activities that add to you, you could be taking courses in these times, doing additional training on your mind and/or body, you could also be working extra hours on a part time job or side business instead of wasting time in that way.