Is it right to compensate with real life risk?

[Amphibian220]

Video Games throughout adolescence were a way to experience risk and thrills. 

I have gone off games completely for many years. But, when I choose what I want to do with my time, it is always sport competitions that can be traumatic such as football or rock climbing. 

At one point I selected a highly competitive football league where I took a hard fall. The mental trauma from the injury lingered for a year. I don't know why, I noticed other mates don't get the mental fatigue that I do.

I now realize I need work or sport with risks but I overreact to failure. According to the psychological field, will selection of real life risk lead to a recovery or a worsening of the mental state?

If @Cam Adair can refer to information on this point I’d be very glad.

[Ameissen]

First of all, I hope you continue to get healing from your mental trauma if you need it. That sucks.

It's very common to replace an addiction with another risky behavior such as a sport where if you mess up you could get really hurt. It has to do with dopamine -- your system is used to experiencing that thrill, in this case there is a thrill of avoiding the great harm you could experience in highly competitive football or rock climbing. Yes, I can attest to this through my experience, you will have an easier time in your recovery -- and a happier life -- to choose exciting but less dangerous activities as your replacement hobbies. You want to let your body be able to find its rhythm in natural excitement and natural rest. Once you get into that rhythm, it feels fantastic.

Taking some risks and having adventures is so great to do, but you'll want to do those mindfully in the context of stable recovery. That is my experience and opinion.

And you may find that once you get your system balanced, and the risks you take are more measured, your experience with failure will improve. Above all, know for yourself what it feels like to be genuinely happy, genuinely at peace, genuinely fulfilled, and genuinely cared for by yourself -- not wanting your life to be shortened by injury, but instead wanting to be healthy and savor your awesome life. And when you know that for yourself, use that as your north star for any decision you make. That will balance your sense of whether a particular risk is worth it, since it is coming out of a clear love for your life. That is my highest recommendation.

[wheatbiscuit]

On 5/16/2025 at 6:35 PM, Amphibian220 said:

Video Games throughout adolescence were a way to experience risk and thrills. 

I have gone off games completely for many years. But, when I choose what I want to do with my time, it is always sport competitions that can be traumatic such as football or rock climbing. 

At one point I selected a highly competitive football league where I took a hard fall. The mental trauma from the injury lingered for a year. I don't know why, I noticed other mates don't get the mental fatigue that I do.

I now realize I need work or sport with risks but I overreact to failure. According to the psychological field, will selection of real life risk lead to a recovery or a worsening of the mental state?

If @Cam Adair can refer to information on this point I’d be very glad.

Was it extensive cash-gambling? The realisation I imagine in people who've had that problem finally get is a scary thought.

Keeping a consistent, 'plodding' pace for most of my endeavours has gotten me through a lot. But yeah, a little yearning for thrills, if not risk is always there. On overreaction to failure, this morning I think I read too much critical news, and when I used the toaster, I literally felt 'less-than' for over-browning one side of a slice. Some of it might unfortunately come with mindfulness as opposed to just flying through the day wherever possible - which takes effort too, of course.