Escapism

Friday, April 24, 2009

Escapism is mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation used to avoid stress and the unpleasant aspects of daily living. Mindless activities such as watching television and surfing the internet are common escapist activities. They allow you to temporarily avoid sadness and/or depression because they keep the mind occupied, eliminating negative feelings and boredom.

Some escapism is necessary for relaxation and entertainment in order to reduce stress. Taken to the extreme, escapist activities can reach an unhealthy level. Because they only offer temporary pleasure, escapist activities sometimes lead to addiction. The most common examples are alcohol and drug abuse. Even healthy activities such as exercise or eating can become escapist activities and lead to addiction. Escapism can negatively affect a person both physically and mentally and ruin relationships with friends and family.

Escapism occurs when people don’t want to deal with their problems. If you think you are suffering from escapism, decide if the activity adds to the quality of your life. It may be an escapist activity if you can’t think of any positive aspects. If you are unhappy, don’t avoid the issue. Sit down with a blank sheet of paper and a pen and write down your feelings and their potential causes. This exercise will help you clear your mind and you might solve your problem instead of running away from it.