Level Up Your Language Learning: 5 Strategies for Balancing Gaming and Productivity

Level Up Your Language Learning: 5 Strategies for Balancing Gaming and Productivity

Games have been one of the most fun hobbies from my childhood that I've carried into adulthood. They have the potential to benefit your brain and help you develop various thinking skills, but they can also become quite addictive. My favorite online games include League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics. I also enjoy playing puzzle games such as Super Hexagon and A Dance of Fire and Ice. 

However, regardless of how good games can be, their addictive nature can have a negative impact on productivity. While they can also be useful for language learning, we will delve into that topic in a future post. Today, we'll focus on how to avoid letting games interfere with productivity and studying.

Over the years, I've tried multiple approaches to prevent this from happening, each with varying levels of success. There is no one superior method, but each can work in different situations. That being said, today I'm going to share with you 5 strategies for balancing gaming and productivity:

1. Don't play games continuously - it can be hard to stop once you start. Sometimes, avoiding games altogether can be effective, but it might not be enjoyable to give up something you love, which can lead to sadness or stress in the long run. It's all about priorities. If you're very busy, abandoning games altogether might be the only solution.

2. Play only on weekends - this is probably one of the healthiest methods, especially if you play single-player games. There's nothing better than relaxing with an RPG on the weekends after a busy week. However, if you're playing a competitive game like MOBA, you need consistency to improve your skills. Playing only on weekends can significantly hinder your progress if you're being competitive. Remember, the key to learning is consistency, and MOBAs have a steep learning curve that requires a lot of attention.

3. Use a reward system - I like this method for several reasons, but it doesn't always work as intended. After I do some boring task at home, like washing dishes or cleaning the toilet, I reward myself with the opportunity to play one game. The problem is that sometimes you don't have time to reward yourself, and playing that game might ruin the progress of the day. Additionally, sometimes I lie to myself and get the reward before I can complete the task, or I get two rewards instead of one by playing two games instead of one.

4. Do all your tasks first, then play later - this method is simple and works well for a while. All you have to do is complete your daily tasks first and then play later, but sometimes you may get bored of it, especially on those days when you have so much to do that you're too tired to play a game at the end of the day.

5. Balance can be key - this method doesn't work for everyone, but some people know they can play one or two games a day as long as they don't neglect their daily tasks. If you can achieve this balance, it's probably the best combination of productivity and fun!

In the end, it doesn't matter which method you choose or if you combine all of them. The point is to not let a fun activity, such as gaming, ruin your life. If you can't be a productive member of society because all you do is play League of Legends all day, then that game will only cause you anxiety and psychological problems in the long run. Remember to prioritize your responsibilities and use games as a way to relax and have fun, not as a way to escape from your problems. Balance is the key to a healthy and happy life. 

Most of luck and game on! (or not).