Making up your mind to quit gaming (or at least cut way back) is a lot less difficult if you consider the ways it’s negatively impacting you. Think about how much time and energy you sacrifice to your habit, and how that sacrifice has stolen the enjoyment from other aspects of your life. [3] X Research source
Use the timer on your smartphone to keep track of how long you’ve been playing and alert you when your allotted time is up. If you’re a PC gamer, you can even set your computer to shut itself down at a specified time, which may be helpful if you’re not sure you can pull the plug on your own. [6] X Research source It could take weeks or even months to taper off your daily play time, and that’s okay. The important thing is that you stick with it and fight the impulse to play for longer than your predetermined time frame.
Tell your loved one to be as firm as they need to be, even if it means forcibly turning off your console or hiding your gaming equipment from you. If you often play with other gamers online or in-person, inform them of your intention to quit, as well. Hopefully, they’ll be supportive of your decision, but if not, you’ll at least be giving them a heads up that they may not be seeing as much of you.
It will be much easier to control your urge to play before you begin than after you’ve already started. Be sure to apply your regular time limit to your evening sessions to keep yourself from staying up too late. Pulling an all-nighter will only make it harder to do what you need to do the next day.
Freeing yourself from the grip of video games will help you overcome your depressive or isolationist tendencies, get more enjoyment out of real-world experiences, and make time for the people and things that truly matter to you. [11] X Research source If you’ve tried weaning yourself off video games in the past and it hasn’t worked, cutting the cord may be your best course of action.
Anytime you’re tempted to sit down and play, take it as a challenge to get stronger. Consciously saying no to unhealthy desires conditions the part of your brain that’s responsible for regulating self-control. [13] X Research source This approach may be simple, but it’s not easy. It all goes back to making a purposeful commitment to not be a slave to your urges.
Actually make it hard for yourself. Bury your console under a pile of boxes in the garage, put it in the trunk of your car, or take it apart and hide each component in a different place. Do whatever it takes to keep yourself away. If you do most of your gaming on the computer, uninstall addictive programs from your hard drive and delete any accounts you have for online games. Then, make an effort to police yourself when using your computer in the future. [15] X Research source
You can also sell newer systems and titles back to stores that accept used games and put the money you get towards other hobbies or pastimes. Delete downloaded games from your console or device to reduce the temptation that you might feel to play them if they’re just sitting there. [16] X Research source
Let yourself get absorbed in the world around you the way you would a good game. [20] X Expert Source Wes PinkstonCertified Holistic Life Coach Expert Interview. 18 January 2022. After all, reality is the most impressive game there is, with fully interactive environments, unlimited opportunities for exploration, endless dialogue options, and the most lifelike graphics engine to date. [21] X Research source As you explore your interest in other pursuits, you’ll likely discover that your urge to play video games gets weaker and weaker. Do your best to be present with whatever you decide to do. It won’t do much good if you’re just thinking about gaming the whole time.
Many of the online games that people waste so much time on are based on real games that you can play almost anywhere, like billiards, golf, darts, bowling, and poker. If you have a knack for a certain game or sport, you might even consider trying out for a team and taking your talents to the next level.
To find a LARPing group near you, run a search for “LARP” plus the name of your town, city, or province. You may be surprised at how many people there are in your area who enjoy the activity. LARPers are encouraged to create original characters with unique traits and backstories, make their own armor and weapons, and lend a hand with duties like scheduling meet-ups and scouting for locations. All of these things will take up time that you might otherwise devote to gaming. [25] X Research source
Look for novelizations of popular video game franchises to enjoy your favorite characters and stories in a more productive way. There are official novelizations for all sorts of games, including Bioshock, Uncharted, Mass Effect, Borderlands, Halo, and Assassin’s Creed. [27] X Research source Reading comes with a host of cognitive benefits, including faster mental processing, increased focus and attention span, and improved vocabulary skills. This means that you’ll actually be training your mind while you entertain yourself.
Put the dedication, persistence, problem-solving skills you’ve acquired from gaming into dating. Few games can compare to the dizzying excitement of sparking a new relationship. [29] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source Other ways to become more social include joining a club related to one of your hobbies or interests, getting involved in community service, starting a band, or simply making more of an effort to communicate with the people you encounter day-to-day.
You’ll find lots of like-minded gamers to connect with in places like Twitch, Reddit, Twitter, and even YouTube. Let your online friends know that you’re trying to cut back on your gaming time. Chances are, they’ll understand where you’re coming from and act as a kind of support group. They may even be able to suggest other strategies for battling your addiction that you haven’t thought of.
