When you are dealing with a video game addiction it is very easy for hours to pass by without even noticing or moving away the screen/device you are using. This makes the process of recovery extremely hard because you are not removing yourself from the situation causing the addiction to begin with. But, how can someone who is addicted to something self-regulate in a way that reduces the play time? Enter the Pomodoro method.
According to Wikipedia:
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks.
So, how does this type of approach work for video games? Well, what you can do is begin to think about video game playing in a work kind of way. So, for every 25 minutes of video game playing, take a 5 minute break. Set a timer and stick to it. Then, after 4 or 5 sessions of 25 + 5 you take a much longer break.
The Pomodoro Technique will provide you with some training to break the habit you've spent many hours or even years developing and cultivating subconsciously. Once you are able to break them, it becomes much easier each time.
While the Pomodoro Technique was never designed to treat an addiction like video games, it can prove to be extremely beneficial and is very easy to setup. You can use easily downloadable software or just use your cellphone / mobile device to track. And, as always, use your journal to track play habits.
