[afarviral]

I play computer games in moderation, and find them therapeutic too. I have had some really intense anxiety episodes and I attribute much of my present stability to having activities available that easily engage my mind. I think it's suuuuper important to feel your feelings and not be in a race with yourself to obliterate them, so it's important to focus on aligning your activities with your values, and not escapism. Flow, achievement and health and values of mine, so I play games with this in mind (hence intense and short episodes mostly). If you play to "escape" too much, it might be counter-productive, as this can result in a nasty feedback-loop. I guess what I practice is still escapism, sometimes, especially from boredom and work-stress, but I frame it more as an exercise in putting my attention somewhere, and being in the moment, rather than a fight to "feel good".

Also, I suspect the benefits of gaming align with higher-order human needs (e.g. From Maslow's hierarchy; problem-solving, confidence, achievement etc).