Use Video games to fuel your life!
I've noticed something strange; I'm obsessed with productivity! I always look for new ways to stretch my time further, Because I want to get EVERYTHING done, All the time! And then all that extra stuff!
I hate only having 24 hours, Not only that but when 8 of them are consumed by sleep, It leaves me with little to work with.
I found a trick... It's video games!
They Allow You To ESCAPE!
Sometimes we need to get away from our lives for a minute, Of course, you can go for a run Or sleep. This can help! But video games are extra powerful with this. You can go into a life of farming, Or a first person shooter, Or be Superman!
You can hunt dinosaurs Or monsters! You can fly and explore new planets.
The options are endless!
When you are overworking yourself mentally, You sometimes need that escape. TV can also give you this feeling, But I don't like recommending TV, Because there are more benefits to being involved, And playing games!
I'm not saying you should use games to escape your whole life. Otherwise, you won't accomplish any goals. But when you work for HOURS nonstop, Your brain starts to slow down. I use a quick round of Overwatch Or Starcraft, to perk my brain up again so I can get back to making shirts, Or writing posts!
Videogames are perfect for "breaks."
It Allows You To Calm Down!
While some games can get you stressed and crazy, Many games can overall help you calm down.
I have the tendency to get so happy and excited about something I can't hold still. I am also a very positive person. Which becomes one of my biggest faults at times.
I get good news, Even small news.And I get extremely excited and giddy, Instead of working, I spend 2-3 hours running around and freaking out over the excitement because I can't hold still. ( I have ADHD which makes it worse). Sometimes playing some games and "Shooting" it out, Or playing a crazy game of Tetris is all I need to get that extra energy out that the good news brings. I also go for runs to combat this, But it sometimes gets too overwhelming.
They make a person "Happy"
Being happy can help you feel motivated! So by playing a game after a rough and tiring day of work, You will feel more motivated to continue working, Many games target the reward system of your brain, Which can release dopamine. That is why they are so enjoyable.
Those trophies, Coins, Or experience points you get in a game are oddly satisfying.
We Have trouble Delaying Gratification!
Long term goals are getting harder and harder to stick to. Because we aren't used to delaying gratification. We no longer have to spend 10 minutes looking up a word in the dictionary, We have Google for that. We don't have to cook our meals; We can have them shipped to our doors.
Videogames allow us to be more motivated to go towards our long term goals!
When I feel burned out because I'm not seeing the "results" of the hard work involving my long term goal, I try to reward myself with some gaming, A vacation or bike ride. Videogames are also pretty cheap, Sometimes we can't afford to go on a trip, Or we can't even afford to miss a day of work. So gaming allows us to give ourselves a reward without overdoing it.
Conclusion
While neglecting your responsibilities and excessive gaming can be bad for your health. Timing yourself, And using videogames as a motivator can help you stay productive! Give yourself breaks from work, And when you do. Let yourself enjoy a round or two of Call Of Duty, your brain will be refreshed and ready to play again.