Siobhan Keogh is trying to cut back her addiction to gaming. But since the launch of Halo 5, she's finding it hard.
Recent studies have suggested that the cues our brains send that make us desire to play video games are similar to those addicts get when they want to get high.
I don't really want to equate video game addiction with drug addiction, because it's not remotely on the same level.But there are definitely some aspects of gameplay that are like drugs for me.
I say this because lately I've been taking a bit of a video game break. For the past couple of weeks I've played maybe a game of Hearthstone a day, and left it at that.
It's partly a time issue - between work, the gym, a social life and housework, I just can't find a couple free hours. But I'm also trying to limit my before-bed screen time. Games are the worst offender in terms of keeping me awake, because it's not just the light if the screen - it's everything.
If I play action games at night, they pump me up. I can't sleep. My body is tense and my brain won't turn off.
I know a lot of people play games to relax, but not me. I'm the kind of person who thrives on a bit of stress, but not too much. I play games because they give me energy. I feel the pressure and also the elation of success. When I'm winning I get the instant gratifcation of feeling like I'm the most powerful being in the world. It's like for a few minutes I get to be Richie McCaw or something.
How often do you get to feel like that? Probably not very often, unless you are Richie McCaw.
Problem is, often the highs are balanced out by the lows. The tension that builds up during a match means that when the stress of my daily life is already too much I get easily frustrated, even angry, if I mess something up or my team loses.
Again, I'd guess that many people don't get those feelings (known as "nerd-rage", for those of you who are non-gamers) because playing games relaxes them, but it doesn't feel good. No one wants to be frustrated and angry.
Of course, you see this kind of behaviour on the rugby field, too.
So, since I still love games, I'm developed coping mechanisms.
A scene from the video game Rocket League.
After a few years of feeling like this I learned to identify the games that make me feel that way and stopped playing them. I don't play Rocket League anymore. The last couple of weeks of not playing games haven't killed me, either. Quite the opposite. I'm sleeping much better, thanks.
I've written before about why games are good for you. And I truly believe that they are, for the most part, especially when compared to non-interactive entertainment media. But sometimes it's nice to just take a break from the intensity of it all.
And in taking a wee break, I've found a lot of joy in my other hobbies which I don't indulge as much. I've torn through Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn: The Final Empire and found time for regular yoga and cooking.
A scene from the video game Halo 5: Guardians.
I'll be back to it soon, partly out of love, and partly because Halo 5 launches on Tuesday and is followed by a slew of equally huge and awesome games. And don't get me wrong, I'm going to really enjoy getting back into it. But first, a deep breath.
* Are you addicted to games? Post your comments below.
