Burnout is a pervasive problem all over the world, but can gaming cause burnout? Yes, gaming burnout is real and many players experience it. In this article, we’ll look at the symptoms of gaming burnout and what you or a loved one can do to overcome it.
What is gaming burnout?
Gaming burnout includes symptoms of physical, mental, and emotional burnout that you experience in your daily life, such as fatigue, stress, depression, feeling overwhelmed or distressed. However, gaming burnout also includes feeling tired or bored playing video games. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with it, you are not alone.
What Causes Gaming Burnout?
In our article, Gaming Fatigue and How to Deal With It, we learned that physical, mental, and emotional burnout can be caused by several factors, including lack of sleep, poor diet, and low mood. However, the main culprit is extreme and long-term stress. This article contains 6 ways to combat gaming fatigue and burnout and restore your energy levels.
Here we look at another aspect of gaming burnout: why some gamers struggle to play video games. With so little time to juggle games and other responsibilities, it can feel overwhelming. Or you’ve lost the energy and passion to play video games, even though there are hundreds of them to choose from.
Most modern video games are designed to keep you engaged even when you’re exhausted and bored. These are usually created with the sole purpose of keeping users online for as long as possible and buying all the DLC to make the game company wealthy. This isn’t a one-time virtual adventure, it’s something that makes you feel like you need to keep playing, which is why many games seem boring now. Video game companies spend a lot of time and money researching and implementing what motivates users to keep playing. As such, you will be immediately exposed to choices during the game. You can choose to pay this amount or do tedious tasks in-game until you unlock it for free. Either you buy this new DLC or you miss out on the “wonderful experience”.
Video games are not designed to be played and completed. If that happens, they may move on to another game and the company may lose business. Instead, you’re forced to plow through pointless quests just to earn your Battle Pass rewards, making the game feel tedious and almost like you’re doing a second job. This can strain your relationship with the game and ultimately lead to gaming burnout.
However, dealing with gaming burnout isn’t as easy as simply quitting. Unlike other hobbies, games often seep into important areas of life such as friendships and relationships. In addition, the social pressure to keep up with all the latest video games is exacerbated by social media, so players keep gaming because of her FOMO. But there are steps you and your loved ones can take to feel happier and more in control. Let’s see how to avoid video game burnout.
How to stop gaming burnout
If you or a loved one is experiencing gaming burnout, here are three steps you can take to overcome it.
1. Find out why you feel burned out
Step away from the screen and ask yourself why video games make you feel burned out. It can be caused by stress, anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, boredom, or a combination of these factors. Once you identify the root cause, take some action on it. Seeking professional counseling, getting more sleep, joining the gym, and practicing other self-care practices can help you feel happier and more energetic.
2. Mix gameplay
Perhaps you’re not feeling physically or mentally burned out, but just incredibly bored of playing the same kind of video games all the time. Mix it up a bit. Playing first person shooters all the time can get boring. Check out other genres like indie games, sandbox, action-adventure, and role-playing games.
3. Take a break – or quit
If you’ve tried the first two steps and still feel physically or emotionally burned out, or bored with the game, take a break. The game shouldn’t feel like an obligation, so don’t force it if you don’t enjoy it. Take a week or two off and do something else. Watch movies, read books, hang out with friends and family, or find other interests and activities to fill your time. Our hobby tools are full of ideas to inspire you. If a video game doesn’t make you feel unsatisfied or satisfied, but you can’t stop playing it for more than a few hours, it’s probably time to quit.
Get help if your game burns out
If you or your significant other are showing signs of gaming burnout but can’t quit, video game addiction may be the problem. Game Quitters has tools to help you.
Take our video game addiction quiz
We have two quizzes on video game addiction on our website. One for gamers and one for concerned parents. This will let you know if you (or them) are playing a problematic game.
Book a specialist program to put you in control of your game
We have a 12-week professional program for gamers and parents. Respawn is for gamers who want to quit gaming and improve their lives, and Reclaim is about helping families get gamers back, even if they refuse.
Join our support community forum
Join the largest online support community for those struggling with video game addiction and connect with like-minded people. Concerned families should join the parent support group on Facebook.
Leverage our expert resources
Access a wide range of support for video game addiction. Resources include articles, podcasts, webinars, real stories and videos.
If you need help, take the first step today. Book a game plan phone Discuss your concerns confidentially to see if our coaching program is right for you.
