Look, today is what we call a high-anxiety day, and that’s without the doomscrolling. Despite being on the opposite end of the planet it feels like the whole world is watching the US Election, and with that appetite for a bunch of nerds counting paper while a bunch of weirdos claim that’s not how numbers work comes wall-to-wall coverage of said counting.
That being said, you don’t have to put yourself through that. Assuming you’ve done everything left for you to do, here’s some fun alternatives to subjecting yourself to the horrors of social media until you actually, for real know how screwed you are:
Hit The Gym
Given the makeup of our readers being mostly gamers, I’m going to assume no one here really hits the gym. Maybe you should! Just like how every stoner remembers their first high, what could be the perpetuity of an endless cycle of misery could instead be the start of your fitness journey. Want to look like an ikemen instead of the gag character best friend? Get some weights and start pumping!
Obviously, be sure to take care of yourself. The last thing you want is to receive horrible geopolitical news while being admitted to a hospital. You think chicks can check out a sick 6-pack when they’re not even allowed into the ICU? Be rational, man.
Hit The Lab
OK, so maybe suggesting the gym was too extreme. This is a high stress news cycle, not a new year. But you know what you can do instead? Pick up fighting games. Unlike hitting the gym fighting games come with almost zero risk of being crushed by an improperly screwed on weight.
Never played a fighting game before? Now’s the perfect time to start! Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, there’s a fighting game for everyone, and guides to get you from “What’s a backdash” to “KBD King” by the time the last swing state has been counted.
Literally Just Gamble
Vices exist for a reason. As the pressure and fear of existential dread swirl around you like a mad vortex, it’s no surprise some people go for cheap thrills to stay sane. Yes, I could develop a holistic method of gratitude and being in the moment to dampen the blow: but when you’re not sure if the planet’s about to be strip-mined by the 1% while we all get sold a monthly subscription to a working pancreas, sometimes you need to feel better now, not later.
Thankfully, lots of games are designed to inject dopamine directly into you with a high-octane flourish. You know what else happens today? Yanagi comes to Zenless Zone Zero! NIKKE’s 2nd Anniversary event is still happening, with Cinderella on the banner and Grave coming tomorrow! Heck, if you’re fundamentally opposed to gacha, you can even play games like Balatro or Vampire Survivors, which give you all the high of a slot machine without any unnecessary calls from the nosy bank.
The Power of Escapism Over Doomscrolling
Look, I know Hideaki Anno made bank off a story literally espousing the dangers of escapism. But that’s only like, if it’s too much. The fact of the matter is things are scary now, and social media is designed in a way to keep funneling only the worst news at you because keeping you miserable while doomscrolling makes you more likely to press a Temu ad or something.
If you’re anxious and overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to take care of yourself. After you’ve practiced those pilebunker loops, I mean.
