Escapism: Your favorite way to avoid stress (probably)

What is Escapism?

Escapism is an intentional distraction from the real world. It could be in the form of playing sports, watching movies, reading a book, listening to music, or anything that can take your mind off uncomfortable and unpleasant situations.

We engage in Escapism almost every day of our lives. When you switch on the TV, pick up the book you’d been wanting to read, listen to your “sad songs” playlist to get your mind off the exam that’s coming up, some work that might be bothering you, or any other stressor. People with an “Escapist” personality tend to daydream a lot.

We all engage in escapism, but should we?

Escapism cannot be defined as either good or bad. Whether Escapism is bringing a positive impact on your life or a negative one, depends entirely on the situation. We live in a world where things can get incredibly stressful.

Before we move on, Let’s define stress real quick.

Stress is a negative experience that alters stressful events (stressors) or adapts to their effects.

So turning off the switch of reality, and escaping into a world that’s a little less stressful for a little while can help you take on stressors head-on. It helps you relax and recharge your energy, before turning that switch back on.

daydreaming is actually good for you, It makes you imaginative and creative!

however, things start to get a bit messy when you’re unable to turn the switch back on. Living in a fantasy world sounds like a great idea, but if it’s making you lose track of reality, then it becomes an issue, a big one. When you keep pushing your problems and worries away over and over again, your worries and problems will pile up. This is where “Escapism” becomes “Avoidance”.

you must be asking, what is avoidance?

Avoidance is a coping mechanism to handle stress. It means to shut down uncomfortable thoughts whenever they arise in your mind, or flea (literally) a situation you deem uncomfortable.

Avoidance has unavoidable repercussions. We must realize that if we keep ignoring our problems, they will not go away. that’s just how our mind works. We’s have to face stressful situations at one point or another. The sooner you face them, the less harm they will cause you.

So to summarize, as long as escapism is helping you refuel your energy tank, you’re good. But when it starts to become a habit and causes you to push your problems away, then maybe it’s time to jump back into the real world and reflect.