At one point in our lives, we have all encountered something that helps distract us from our current realities. Films, books, games, music, and working out all play a role in providing that escapism that is sometimes craved.
Many would say that delving into escapism isn’t the best way to confront the struggles we encounter as individuals, others would suggest that it is actually a healthy form of dealing with our emotions.
“It’s a powerful coping mechanism, and one that is especially invaluable now, but it’s important to master escapism consciously lest it come to rule your life,” said LV Development editor E.B. Johnson.
Too much escapism could lead to task avoidance and disengagement from interpersonal interactions. For this reason, individuals who seek to enjoy the meditative and stress-relieving aspects of escapism must find a balance between their reality and self-indulgence.
Mastering this balancing act isn’t an easy task, especially during this pandemic when social distancing has led to many of us living in the world of escapism for lack of entertainment and social interactions. “When you feel completely overwhelmed by your emotions, sometimes the best strategy is to just walk away and do something else,” said The Emotion Machine writer Steven Handel.
Disengaging from negative emotions is sometimes the best route to take when it comes to preserving your mental health. In that case, self-indulgence would lead to self-care which is so vital in maintaining a positive outlook.
It can become easy to let the pressure and stress of an everyday routine, with demanding responsibilities such as school and work, overcome your perspective. Taking care of yourself by doing things that make you happy and can provide some sort of instant gratification can positively influence your mindset.
Although the pandemic has brought its fair share of struggles, it has also provided many of us with the opportunity to enjoy small moments of escape. In prioritizing your mental health, allow yourself to take a pause from the world and wind down however you see fit.
Indulging in escapism can also be an opportunity for you to accomplish some short-term goals like getting through books on your reading list, or finally watching that Netflix original that you’ve had on your watchlist. “Stop looking at escapism as something to be avoided, and embrace the power of doing nothing,” said E.B. Johnson.
The hustle and bustle of our ambitions sometimes keep us from letting our bodies rest and soaking in the serenity and stillness of doing nothing. There can be negative connotations associated with the idea of doing nothing, such as laziness, but in reality, it is a healthy contrast to a busy schedule.
In light of the social isolation many of us are facing due to the pandemic, take some time to heal by giving into the escapism of your interest.
“Turning your brain off is downright therapeutic, and can make the difference between life and death when you’re feeling frazzled or pushed to the edge,” said E.B. Johnson.