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While gaming is fun, it's also cool to step away. When you spend too much time in front of the computer or gaming console, it's easy to lose track of time and sense of proportion. The things that are important in the game take over what is important in real life.

I don't get sucked into a lot of games, but when I find one I can really get into, it's easy for me to get pulled into the world of, and community surrounding, the game. There are people with the same interests as me playing by the same rules I am.

However, I find myself feeding my game characters more than I feed myself, more worried about their health than my own. My money in real life dwindles, while I hoard gold and silver in the games. My characters have good friends, helpful teammates, and positive relationships, while my real friends wonder where I am.

Usually I snap out of these states quickly enough, but I know for some people it's more difficult. It is becoming increasingly more common for gaming to be an escapist pastime, or a guilty pleasure, or to incite friendly competition. For many, it's taken the place of sports or other competitive or physical activity.

Sometimes you have to pause and analyze your own status instead of your character's: how are your own relationships, food supply, money, and health?

It's fun to level up, to compete against other players, even to play with my friends online. It's also fun to not be on the computer. As much as I love my Mac, my friends, boyfriend, and family are more important.

Learn more about this author, Christina Faith.
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