I would say video games have saved my life in one way or another. When I can’t play games, I watch a lot of Twitch TV. Having a live broadcast with like minded people has been so incredibly invaluable. It’s a great time killer, and you can get some sort of support from the other people in the community. The entertainment offered by those streamers has been a real life saver.
When I can actually play games, it’s a wonderful distraction. Games also work your brain and your reaction timing very well, and I need to exercise my brain. They have become a sort of litmus test for me as well. If I’m able to sit and play some games, then I must be feeling better. If I don’t even turn my PC on, then I’m not doing well. If I get back into grinding on Destiny 2, then I must be doing really well.
There are days when I feel better and should be getting things done, but I just can’t be bothered. When I finally get good days, I also still fell burned out from all the struggle I just wen through. These are days of rest and recovery. Kind of like how you don’t want to spend your precious days off doing things for others. Playing games makes me feel normal. I usually have fun playing. When I feel really good, I’ll be social with other players and find new friends to play with, although that hasn’t happened in quite some time.
There have also been days where my anxiety is off the charts. I can barely function because of it, but if I’m able, I’ll find some mindless activities to play in Destiny 2 and immerse myself in the game. This has hard-carried me through some truly awful nights.