Are you an escapist?

[The_Echo]

The only thing I've ever used video games to escape from is boredom.

I don't have a very stressful life. Or at least, I don't get stressed from my life. I'm a very consistently content individual. Very few things actually get to me, and I've never felt the need to "escape" when they do.

 

[DugMachine]

Any good video game with a decent story or a good book helps me escape and relax for a few hours.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Yep. A nightingale in a golden cage, that's me, locked inside reality's maze.

Nothing really unhealthy about it. I like escapism because I don't completely ignore reality.

 

[l0ckd0wn]

Some use Alcohol,
Some use drugs,
Some use women,
Some of us game.

There is no selection for all of the above...


And yes, I'm still an able bodied, contributing member of society.

 

[Raggedstar]

Considering the other stuff I can get into, I say gaming is the healthiest alternative for escape.

Real life makes the worst physics engine anyways.

Yep. A nightingale in a golden cage, that's me, locked inside reality's maze.

Cookie to you, good sir.

 

[soren7550]

Yeah. Have about zero friends and a lot of issues, so I tend to turn to music (Hans Zimmer's work for The Lion King is a great relaxer), reading (although due to a move and renovations at the nearest library, I can't borrow books now, so my reading has decreased dramatically), sometimes video games, and naturally, dicking about on the internet.
I kind of want to include cosplaying, but seeing as I tend to not enjoy the whole making them part, I don't know if it counts (still love the dressing up part though, that's for sure).

It it healthy? Yeah, a bit of escapism is good, but unfortunately, y'all gotta face reality at some point.

 

[Mr Binary]

That's one of the main reasons I play games actually. In RPGs you don't have to worry about school, people getting angry at you or anything like that... all you have to worry about is that massive monster standing in front of you and where your arrow will hit.

 

[Smeggs]

No, not a member of the site which you probably are if you are reading this. But, someone who uses entertainment (games in particular) as a means to escape the stress and rigors of daily life. I know I do. If I have something negative on my mind or a sense of dread of something coming up I completely forget my troubles for awhile while playing a good engaging game.

I have a second question that ties into this. Do you feel this sort of escapism is healthy? You might see it as a way to avoid problems or deny reality. But, you might see it was a great way to improve one's mental health.

Well...yeah. Why else would anyone play a game, other than a way to kill time and not have to think of anything going on around them while doing something more interesting than staring at a blank wall?

 

[BRex21]

Well ironically I'm on the forums now while playing City of Heroes while the team leaders do some recruiting. so I'm escaping the dullness of my escapism.
But yes, videogames and movies have always been something i turn to when i'm upset or depressed as they often have something of a sense of accomplishment and success, particularly since so much of my real life is bland and repetitive. That said my social life usually takes precedence and I'm generally only on the escapist if I'm bored at work or away from home.