Play the game in a brightly lit area of your home. Switch on any lights nearby. If possible, play the game during the day. In addition to helping you avoid darkness, playing during the daytime can help. You’ll have more time to do something afterwards, like go for a walk or talk to a friend.
You can also play calming music while playing the game on silent. Replacing a disturbing soundtrack with a more lighthearted one may make for a better gaming experience.
If you’re embarrassed about being scared, you don’t have to tell people that’s why you want to play in a group. You can simply say you want to play the game together. Choose people who have a higher tolerance for frightening media than you. Their laid back nature will rub off on you.
Think about why a game may trigger fear. If you’re superstitious by nature, for example, a game about ghosts may remind you of a longstanding fear of the paranormal. Once you’ve identified your fear, you’ll be able to separate that fear from the game. You can think to yourself, “I’m afraid of something else and not this game. This game is not related to what’s really bothering me. "
Picture yourself sitting calmly and playing the game. Imagine yourself laughing and enjoying yourself. Use all your senses. Think about the sounds, smells, and physical sensation that go along with the game. If you spend a minute visualizing yourself enjoying the game, you won’t go into the game with nerves.
Be honest about the consequences of playing the game. Will it really affect you that much to get a little scared? What’s the worst that can happen if you play the game? Chances are, the fear will be difficult to deal with. However, it will not be insurmountable. If you truly enjoy this game, it’s probably worth scaring yourself a little.
Check for when you’re having a fearful thought. For example, you may think something like, “I wonder what I would do if I really saw a ghost. I would be so scared. " Counter this with some positive and rational self-talk. For example, “It’s very unlikely I will ever see a ghost and, if I do, I trust myself to keep my cool. "
Try to concentrate on your immediate surroundings. This can really help you remove yourself from fearful thoughts. Think about how your body feels, how you’re sitting or standing, or any sounds nearby. You can also focus on your breathing. Take a very deep breath, making sure to inhale through your nose. Place your hand on your belly before breathing, and try to breathe in a way that makes this hand rise. Hold the breath for a second or two and then slowly exhale through your mouth. [8] X Research source
For added relaxation, try listening to calming songs while you exercise. You can make a playlist of your go-to relaxation songs to play during a workout.
Try imaging something relaxing. You can, for example, picture yourself floating on a cloud. Listen to relaxing music. A soothing playlist can help take your mind off of a scary computer game. Simply taking slow, deep breaths can help ground you after playing a scary game.
If someone else in your house is awake, talk through your nightmare with them. You may also find one of your friends is online or awake to text. Envision something relaxing after a nightmare. Picture yourself sitting on a beach, for example. If you have a nightlight, turning that on after a nightmare may help.
