Video Games

Thanks for sharing that. I can honestly tell you she's not lying. Animal Crossing New Horizons has helped me connect with a few people and even though we've basically been locked up for almost 2 yrs now ACNH allowed me to travel and see sights and talk to people and be creative and that brought me laughter and calm. It brought order to a totally chaotic world. Also it's helped me in some aspects of my job at being a little more helpful and a little more kind oddly enough.

However, as my stress level has changed like that gals in the article my gaming need changed to a shooter. I may get killed a lot but it helps suss out the anger and frustration by allowing me to be destructive in a healthy way. My headspace has changed from needing calm to needing destruction and competition. Plus the open world environment fascinates me which takes my mind off the bad crap. 

But at the end of the day what helped me the most...was my stuffed kitty called Kiki. By nature I'm a loving person whose a hugger. Here I was suddenly thrust into total isolation with no one to hug or spend time with. Kiki has filled a need for me. Before I got her I literally stood in the kitchen at work one day and cried because I was so overwhelmed with the sadness of not being able to hug anyone. The first day I had Kiki I got her at work from the gift shop. Every time I had to get into my locker I hugged her and put her back and went back to work. Once home I held her for the remainder of the evening and slept with her. I sleep with her every night now and cuddle her. An inanimate object has brought me feelings of love and joy that I desperately needed. I saw her out in front of the gift shop and the elevator opened and I walked away to go buy her. Glad I did. 

I don't feel the least bit guilty buying the things I need to do my own self care to keep me from losing my mind. If these things are what I need to do for my own mental health and well-being then so be it.