So recently I realized that I have 2 major issues:
#1 - I'm really struggling to stay concentrated on anything. For example, I constantly find myself floating somewhere in my mind instead of listening to a lecture in uni. When I talk to people, I often ask them to repeat themselves because I'm not really paying attention to what are they saying. And of course, it fucks with (well, used to fuck with) my TF2 experience because I ignore important calls without even realizing it.
#2 - I'm bad at controlling my emotions. I don't think this one affects real life as much as the first one, but it defenitely kills my in-game performance and I want to deal with it in case I ever come back to TF2/other games.
I've played with lots of different people during this year and none of them are going to say that I'm a rager or a whiner, however I tend to get really angry at myself when I miss the easiest shots and I can't regain control after that happens. Usually it gets to the point where I either experience psysical tension like shoulder/hand pain due to tighter than usual mouse grip, or I get mentally exhausted and have terrible mood for the rest of the day.
I heard that meditation is a good way of dealing with both of those so I wanted to hear about your experiences with it, whether you did or did not have a positive result. I would also like to hear about some other ways to deal with these things.
So recently I realized that I have 2 major issues:
#1 - I'm really struggling to stay concentrated on anything. For example, I constantly find myself floating somewhere in my mind instead of listening to a lecture in uni. When I talk to people, I often ask them to repeat themselves because I'm not really paying attention to what are they saying. And of course, it fucks with (well, used to fuck with) my TF2 experience because I ignore important calls without even realizing it.
#2 - I'm bad at controlling my emotions. I don't think this one affects real life as much as the first one, but it defenitely kills my in-game performance and I want to deal with it in case I ever come back to TF2/other games.
I've played with lots of different people during this year and none of them are going to say that I'm a rager or a whiner, however I tend to get really angry at myself when I miss the easiest shots and I can't regain control after that happens. Usually it gets to the point where I either experience psysical tension like shoulder/hand pain due to tighter than usual mouse grip, or I get mentally exhausted and have terrible mood for the rest of the day.
I heard that meditation is a good way of dealing with both of those so I wanted to hear about your experiences with it, whether you did or did not have a positive result. I would also like to hear about some other ways to deal with these things.
I'm not nearly as consistent with it as I should be but meditation (specifically beginner Pranayama breathing exercises w/meditation) are really helpful when I do actually do them. If you're stressed it definitely helps alleviate it and makes you feel better physically imo.
Not really one of the things you posted, but when I actually went to them gym, deadlifting was great for stress release and feeling mentally/physically better as well.
I'm not nearly as consistent with it as I should be but meditation (specifically beginner Pranayama breathing exercises w/meditation) are really helpful when I do actually do them. If you're stressed it definitely helps alleviate it and makes you feel better physically imo.
Not really one of the things you posted, but when I actually went to them gym, deadlifting was great for stress release and feeling mentally/physically better as well.
#1 - Are you getting a good amount of sleep and/or eating well enough? Generally those things tend to be a killer for concentration I find from first hand experience. If its affecting Uni stuff try being more "active" during lectures in order to be more invested with the material and keep you concentrated (i.e. writing notes, asking questions etc.). Also maybe mess around with your volume settings in game so that comms are clearer and therefore easier to process
#2 - If you're at the stage that you're close to raging or getting tense try moving around a bit in your chair to get more comfortable or use a tactic like shaking your arms or something to release any tension and take a few deep steady breaths in between respawns.
Personally haven't done meditation but listening to soothing music or smooth jazz tends to relieve any sort of stress I have .
Hope this helps in some way I guess...
#1 - Are you getting a good amount of sleep and/or eating well enough? Generally those things tend to be a killer for concentration I find from first hand experience. If its affecting Uni stuff try being more "active" during lectures in order to be more invested with the material and keep you concentrated (i.e. writing notes, asking questions etc.). Also maybe mess around with your volume settings in game so that comms are clearer and therefore easier to process
#2 - If you're at the stage that you're close to raging or getting tense try moving around a bit in your chair to get more comfortable or use a tactic like shaking your arms or something to release any tension and take a few deep steady breaths in between respawns.
Personally haven't done meditation but listening to soothing music or smooth jazz tends to relieve any sort of stress I have .
Hope this helps in some way I guess...
I meditate, somewhat frequently. Importantly, I don't have to "sit still for 20 minutes" to get the benefits. If I'm in line, or at a red light, or walking somewhere on autopilot, I can switch that to a mindfulness exercise in the minute or less that I have to engage it.
The benefits are incredible. I'm a person who I'd describe is "on-edge" way more than not. Since starting meditation a few months ago, I've noticed I don't get worked up over things that used to heavily affect me. It definitely comes down to both a conscious and an unconscious control of emotions. For one, I know I don't need to be worked up, and for two, I can decide to not be (as far as two aspects of conscious control go).
I also listen more. I "slowed down" my internal clock and pace, such that things can impact me more easily, be they words, or situations.
I'm also literate in neuroscience and the primary research on meditation. I don't just "believe" in it, or anything in that matter. I'm not saying I'm immune to placebo, but this is way too strong and persistent to be a result of placebo.
All in all, I most definitely suggest you try meditating. I've had a more-than-extraordinarily-positive experience with Headspace, an app for iOS and Android. They made it well, I won't go into detail for all the reasons I think they have, but I've covered the bases on routes towards somewhat effortless meditation, and this is grade A as far as guided meditations and a wholesome approach to it go.
Best of luck. Feel free to PM me or add me on Steam to talk more about this. I'm a beginner. I don't even get 5 seconds of quiet. You don't need to be an advanced meditator to reap benefits, and I can see it as resoundingly true within myself.
Start by sitting for 5 minutes, eyes closed. Just breathe. Don't expect anything too much of yourself. You'll be surprised how much that'll do for you in a week. That's 35 minutes total. Just do it.
I meditate, somewhat frequently. Importantly, I don't have to "sit still for 20 minutes" to get the benefits. If I'm in line, or at a red light, or walking somewhere on autopilot, I can switch that to a mindfulness exercise in the minute or less that I have to engage it.
The benefits are incredible. I'm a person who I'd describe is "on-edge" way more than not. Since starting meditation a few months ago, I've noticed I don't get worked up over things that used to heavily affect me. It definitely comes down to both a conscious and an unconscious control of emotions. For one, I know I don't need to be worked up, and for two, I can decide to not be (as far as two aspects of conscious control go).
I also listen more. I "slowed down" my internal clock and pace, such that things can impact me more easily, be they words, or situations.
I'm also literate in neuroscience and the primary research on meditation. I don't just "believe" in it, or anything in that matter. I'm not saying I'm immune to placebo, but this is way too strong and persistent to be a result of placebo.
All in all, I most definitely suggest you try meditating. I've had a more-than-extraordinarily-positive experience with Headspace, an app for iOS and Android. They made it well, I won't go into detail for all the reasons I think they have, but I've covered the bases on routes towards somewhat effortless meditation, and this is grade A as far as guided meditations and a wholesome approach to it go.
Best of luck. Feel free to PM me or add me on Steam to talk more about this. I'm a beginner. I don't even get 5 seconds of quiet. You don't need to be an advanced meditator to reap benefits, and I can see it as resoundingly true within myself.
Start by sitting for 5 minutes, eyes closed. Just breathe. Don't expect anything too much of yourself. You'll be surprised how much that'll do for you in a week. That's 35 minutes total. Just do it.