10 Ways to Overcome Online Game Addiction that are Worth Trying
In the digital era like today, online games are entertainment that is very popular with many people. Unfortunately, not a few start to get addicted to forgetting important things around them, ranging from physical health, work to not wanting to socialize.
Playing games is not prohibited, but if you are addicted, it's a good idea to start making improvements to overcome addiction to online games that may have a bad influence. Well, how to solve it? Try to follow some of the tips that Carisignal has summarized below.
1. Make a Schedule to Play Online Games
People who are addicted can't immediately stop or leave their favourite online game. But if he really intends to stop, at least he can reduce the intensity of his playing. One way you can try is to make a strict gameplay schedule.
For example, if you have been able to spend all day in front of a gadget, now you can only play online games for 5 hours every day. Don't also forget to specify what time you can play the game. The important thing is that this schedule must be adhered to.
You also have to get used to being disciplined and sticking to the schedule that has been made. When you get used to it, you can reduce your playing time again. If you can initially play games for 5 hours, try reducing it again to 3-4 hours every day. Do it gradually until you are completely free and do not depend on the game.
2. Keep Yourself away from Gadgets
People addicted to online games are usually used to holding a gadget, whether smartphone, tablet, or laptop. So when you start to get addicted and want to stop, start distancing yourself from any device.
One way is to put gadgets outside the room. When relaxing in your room, you may hold your smartphone or other device and automatically open game applications. From now on, try to get used to not holding the gadget all the time, so you don't feel dependent.
3. Cut/Reduce Game Playing Budget
For people who are already addicted, spending a lot of money on online games is common. If you are this type of gamer and intend to quit, the only way to overcome addiction is to cut the budget used for online games.
It would be best if you were disciplined in managing finances and dare to refrain from spending your money on things related to games. Even if necessary, you can ask for help from your family or someone you trust to help manage your money so that he can control your spending.
4. Replace the Gadget with Regular Specs
Some online games require adequate supporting facilities, ranging from gadgets with powerful specifications to fast internet networks to avoid lag. So a powerful way to overcome game addiction is to eliminate the various supporting facilities.
If you have been using a smartphone or computer with high specs so that you can freely play games, replace all your devices with mediocre specifications. If possible, limit internet usage at home, both in terms of quota and speed.
In essence, eliminate all online game support facilities. With limited facilities, you will find it difficult to play the game, so you slowly leave it. Keep in mind that making changes like this will definitely feel heavy, but it's really worth trying to get rid of the dependence on online games.
5. Don't Look For Any Information About Online Games
A gamer usually always follows any information related to the game he is playing, such as updating the latest game version or certain events. What you need to know, reading info like this will only increase the desire to play games.
Especially if new game updates are more exciting or some events offer tempting prizes, surely the desire to play games will be even more passionate. Therefore, if you try to overcome your addiction, you should never read or look for any information related to the game.
6. Explore and pursue other hobbies
One powerful way to overcome online gaming addiction is to pursue other hobbies that can be more profitable. From now on, try to think about what hobbies or fields you are interested in other than gaming, then take it seriously so that you can forget about your desire to play online games.
If you feel like you don't have any other hobbies or don't know where your interests and talents are heading, start to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. In this way, who knows, you may find your interest in other fields that may be much more useful and exciting than just playing games.
7. Spend Time With Friends and Family
When you are addicted to games, you may have forgotten the world around you. Therefore, spending time with the people closest to you can be a powerful way to distract yourself from online games. Try making time to chat with your family or go hang out with friends.
Do fun activities to distract yourself from the game completely. Enjoy being with them and forget for a moment about all things online gaming. Do this regularly until you get used to interacting with other people without having to think about the game.
8. Reduce the intensity of chatting and meeting fellow gamers
Hanging out with fellow gamers will automatically make you sink deeper into the game world because the main topic of conversation will always lead to the game you are playing. So if you're trying to overcome your addiction, there's nothing wrong with reducing your social interactions with fellow gamers.
This doesn't mean you have to cut off contact with them completely. Stay be a good friend. Just reduce the intensity of your meetings. Even if you meet, try to find another topic of conversation and not bring up games because talking about games will only strengthen your addiction to online games.
9. Keep yourself busy with work
For those who are already working to turn your attention to work to get rid of your addiction to games. As much as possible busy yourself with work and complete all unfinished tasks. To do this, of course, requires strong enough motivation.
First, convince yourself that keeping yourself busy with work will be much more beneficial than playing games. Second, make personal targets or deadlines related to work. This will really help motivate you to be more active at work.
10. Totally Uninstall the Game
The recommended way to overcome online game addiction is that the process must be done slowly or gradually. But if you have a strong determination and more courage, this one method is okay to try.
By deleting all game applications on your gadget, you will automatically stop playing online games and focus on other things. If you want a more extreme way, you can delete the account or character you play. Thus, you are completely free from online games that have been shackled to you.
Those are 10 ways you can try to overcome online game addiction. The most important thing is that you have the intention to stop because no matter how good and powerful it is, it won't work if you don't have a strong determination. Good luck with the tips above, and I wish you success in overcoming your addiction to online games.