How to Not Let Emotions Ruin Your Experience of Playing Video Games
It’s so easy to let your feelings take control of you when playing video games. Not only do you get emotionally invested in what’s going on the screen, but you might also get competitive when playing with other gamers.
However, suppose you let your life revolve around succeeding in a video game. In that case, you can soon find yourself getting irritated by the minor issues or bursting into anger at every slight inconvenience that crosses your path. If not appropriately managed, the disappointment and irritation can start to eat away at you slowly. That’s why it’s essential not to let the losses determine your self-worth and recognize your emotions.
Continue reading below to find out more about how the intense emotions might affect your gaming experience and how you can stop them from ruining it.
Keep an Eye on Your Behaviour
When playing video games, it’s easy to get carried away by your emotions. If you see another player doing something that irritates you, refrain from getting angry because you can still choose not to continue playing rather than letting your feelings get out of hand. If you get into arguments with other players online, realize that it isn’t worth it as the other person might not even know they’re upsetting you. Don’t waste time on petty arguments, and try just to let go when you can ignore the issue.
Think about why you get emotional when playing. Are there any reasons why losing might make you feel overwhelmed? It is especially important when playing casino games online, as getting too emotional or upset can lead to impulsive decisions and losing more money than you can afford.
Try to remind yourself that these types of games are luck-dependent and should help you relax and entertain yourself, not to frustrate yourself or get upset. To avoid such situations, make sure you play the games you enjoy – for example, you can spin some reels on a slot from the Top Online Slots 2021 list or try your hand at a new poker variable. If you feel like you’re getting too involved, it might be high time to call it a day.
The more information you have about yourself, the easier it is to understand what triggers your emotions. Then, try to find ways to overcome it or at least learn how to deal with your emotions effectively so they won’t bring down your gaming experience.
Understand What Makes You Competitive
If you realize why you get so competitive in playing games, you might be able to manage your emotions better. Perhaps it helps if you try thinking of yourself as someone who likes to experience some rivalry from time to time, instead of being overly focused on having to win every time you play.
That way, you might be able to tone down the excessively competitive side of your personality. There’s nothing wrong with liking that adrenaline rush, but it’s good to know how to keep it in place.
Try to reconsider your approach. Are you playing only because it’s fun, or are you doing it just because you want to win? If you’re doing it just for fun, then there’s no need to feel bad about losing because it doesn’t affect your self-worth. On the other hand, if winning means everything to you, you should reconsider your gaming approach since it makes your self-worth dependent on winning.
Try looking for more laid-back games in which finishing the missions or quick winning isn’t their sole focus, for example, games with a vast open-world to explore, life simulators, and sandbox games.
Find Something Else to Do
If you find yourself unable to concentrate on the game because your mind keeps wandering away due to anxiety, it might be time for a break. Don’t push yourself to try harder; instead, take a break from the game for a while and do something else.
Try watching others play or turn to other relaxing and fun games instead of competitive and stressful. If possible, ask someone else to play with you so that you don’t feel like you have to rush back into the game right away or settle for playing alone just because no one wants to join in.
Additionally, try to make each play session shorter. Suppose you have to play for several hours straight without taking a break. In that case, it might lead to physical fatigue or mental exhaustion. You might then find yourself unable to focus or concentrate when playing, which are essential aspects in succeeding in the game. Take regular breaks when playing, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Know What to Do When You’re Losing
If you’re used to succeeding in everything you do and suddenly lose, it can be challenging to accept and move on. However, it’s not the end of the world, and there are things you can do to help you acknowledge this fact. For instance, even if you were on top of the leaderboard for a few days, there is always someone better than you out there. It’s easy to think that you’re the best of the best, but the truth is that you’re just ranked higher than the rest for now.
When you lose, ask yourself what you can do to improve your gaming skills and look at the strategies and tactics of other gamers so that you can learn new things and level up. At the same time, try not to get intimidated by those who beat you and don’t let them affect your self-worth since losing doesn’t mean you’re a bad gamer.
In Conclusion
Taking breaks from the game, frequently socializing with friends and family, and knowing when it’s better to let go are just some things you can do to control the situation. Failures can also trigger anxiety, so setting smaller goals or watching other people play to learn new strategies and techniques might help fight it.
Emotional outbursts can affect your gaming experience, so it’s crucial to manage your emotions. Try to think about why you get emotionally invested in the game and how you can deal with that. It might help if you know what triggers your emotions so that you won’t let them take over your experience when playing video games. Take care of your feelings, and you’ll soon be able to focus more on succeeding in the game rather than being overly concerned about losing.
