Escapism—a dirty word for some, but really it’s just the act of seeking distraction and relief from the pressures of real life by engaging in a form of fantasy or imaginative activity. It can be both healthy and unhealthy depending on the level and method of engagement. While some forms of escapism can help to relieve stress and anxiety enabling an individual to take on their world, other forms can have a negative impact on mental and physical health.

A lasting and popular escapist pursuit is reading. J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings, once said, “Why should a man be scorned, if, finding himself in prison, he tries to get out and go home? Or if, when he cannot do so, he thinks and talks about other topics than jailers and prison-walls?” This quote illustrates the idea that escapism can be a means of coping with difficult situations. Tolkien himself used his own writing as a form of escapism during World War I.

One form of escapism that has become increasingly popular in recent years is binge-watching TV shows. The comfort of familiar characters and settings can be a welcome distraction from the stresses of daily life. Shows like The Office, with their relatable and humorous characters, can provide a sense of camaraderie and escape from reality. For me, I love watching Michael Scott’s ridiculous antics and off-color jokes. It helps me recharge—but then again, it also distracts me from using my time wisely. There’s a level to which it’s self-care, but on another, it enables me to easily shirk things that are far more fulfilling.

Tabletop RPGs, like Pathfinder and Dungeons & Dragons, offer a form of group escapism. They allow players to assume roles in a fantasy world, engaging in quests and battles. This type of escapism can foster social connections and creativity, though it had a long history of suspicion from outside (anyone who’s played it knows these criticisms and suspicions were largely undeserved.)

Live-action role-playing (LARP) takes group escapism to a higher level. Participants create intricate costumes and immerse themselves in a fantasy world for a brief period of time. While this type of escapism can be fun and creative, it can also be seen as strange or uncomfortable by those who do not participate. But that in itself doesn’t necessitate this sort of escapism to be harmful. For in the words of my little brother, “You know I don’t give a shit about what other people think, and neither should you.”

I’d be remiss if I failed to mention Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras and Carnival season also offer a form of escapism. Not just with the vibrant colors, music, and festivities that provide a break from the monotony of everyday life. In the early Christian calendar, the period leading up to Lent was a time of fasting and abstinence. However, people wanted to enjoy themselves before the Lenten season began, and so they developed the tradition of Carnival. The word “carnival” comes from the Latin phrase “carne vale,” which means “farewell to meat.” This reflects the Christian tradition of abstaining from meat during Lent. Carnival season became a time for people to indulge in food, drink, and other pleasures before the period of fasting began. Mardi Gras is widely understood to have devolved considerably into quite a bit of what we can uncontroversially call debauchery. Nevertheless, the idea is to escape the reality of what’s coming in Lent or what exists in non-Catholic’s daily lives. This type of escapism is widely accepted and embraced by society.

However, as we’ve already seen, not all forms of escapism are socially acceptable, but some are simply inherently unhealthy. Illicit drug use and extramarital affairs, for example. It might not seem so, but these are forms of escapism, whether escapes from a bad situation or relationship, or just a perpetuation of self-destructive behavior.

Nevertheless, any escapist pursuit can be detrimental. Even novel reading was at one point widely considered to be an activity detrimental to mental health. I imagine if one read novels to the point they neglected too many real responsibilities, what would for most be a benign escapism, would be detrimental. (I’m reminded of a marriage ruined by a husband’s obsession with video games.)

I suppose it comes to that—the balance of responsibilities and escape. Some forms of escapism can provide a much-needed break from the stresses of real life enabling an individual to better face their responsibilities. Some escapist pursuits enable some to shirk their responsibilities. It’s important to find that healthy balance between engaging in escapism and living in the real world. Too much in one direction, we have effectively grown children—ill-equipped to take on even the most basic responsibilities which will be detrimental to our society and culture at large.