Escapism
I was thinking about Escapism and how prevalent it is to immerse ourselves outside our reality. Is it healthy? Should we be concerned about Escapism?
Watching ten consecutive hours of the same show would seem unusual a few years ago, but now it is just a random Saturday. I have some thoughts about what that amount of content does to the brain, but we will save that for another time. Right now, I want us to consider what we are escaping from and why.
Think about when you are most likely to use Escapism. Is there a particular situation, mood, or sensation that triggers your desire to escape? Is this something that needs addressing? Think about how you feel after engaging in Escapism. Does it leave you refreshed and re-energized, or do you feel agitated, irritable, disconnected, or stressed?
When Escapism is helpful, we take a moment to step out of our reality and experience a period of escape from the challenges of our lives. It can help prevent burnout, reduce our stress, and increase our feelings of hope, determination, courage, and psychological strength. Television, books, movies, gaming, daydreaming, cooking and eating, sport, switching off social media, meditation, and mindfulness are great ways to take a step back from life and experience some respite. There is no one way to escape, as it is a personal experience, but everyone deserves to experience some escape, so it's worth thinking about what works for you.
Escapism and self-care are significant parts of how we take care of ourselves. Still, we must be careful about how far Escapism goes because immersing ourselves in such a way can tip over into avoidance. When Escapism goes too far, it can damage our studies, work, relationships, and mental health. Escapism is best as a tool to help reset and press on in our lives rather than avoiding life and stressors that need addressing.
Remember, sometimes practicing sitting with the hard feeling and confronting the challenges they bring is beneficial. Meditation, mindfulness, and breathing techniques are excellent ways of helping to stay connected with reality in these moments and face the challenge we are experiencing.
So, what can we do to make sure we are on the healthier side of Escapism? Use these three tips!
Set boundaries around your Escapism. Read, watch, fantasize, play, and create! But manage the time, watch for warning signs that you're over-using Escapism (such as missing a deadline, saying no to seeing friends too often, not getting enough sleep, getting feedback from others that you seem distracted), and set limits around your use to help you stay better connected with reality, responsibilities, and relationships.
Avoid using drugs, alcohol, and gambling as your means of Escapism, as while they can bring temporary relief, they can lead to more difficulties over time.
Consider mindfully engaging in purposeful activities by managing the line between helpful Escapism and avoidance. You could try using the phrase "I choose…". For example, "I choose to take some time out to watch a movie," "I'm choosing to watch some reality TV right now, so I can laugh," and "I'm choosing to go for a walk to clear my head."
If you are struggling with stressors and burnout, reach out! I am here to assist you. Do not suffer in silence.
References: Connie Timpson." Florida Times Union, Florida Times Union, 24 Mar. 2018, p. 5.