Video games are hot right now. They are one of the fastest growing industries and there is a wide range of people who play. As gamers, we have a responsibility to ourselves to be healthy gamers, but since it’s a relatively new industry, these lessons are not being taught as much as they should. There is nothing more important than your health and spending too much time playing games can result in neglecting your body.
Sure, we’ve all heard the stereotypes about gamers but sadly, some of them are true. Some gamers fill up on junk food while others keep long hours and don’t get enough sleep. Many gamers don’t get the exercise their body needs because they spend too much time in the same position staring at that screen. All of these things affect your body in a negative way and cause problems that you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life.
It can cause malnutrition, insomnia, irritability, excessive weight gain or loss and a number of other conditions that could easily be avoided by simply being a responsible gamer. Learning how to be a healthy gamer is not difficult, you just have to make the decision to follow a few simple rules and stick to your plans. It doesn’t mean that video games are bad or that you have to give up your favorite games. It just means that you need to change some habits.
Here are some tips to do just that:
Set Aside a Specific Time for Playing Video Games
One of the first steps in becoming a healthy gamer, is setting aside a specific time for playing video games. This way, you can monitor the time spent playing games much easier and you’ll have time for other activities. Limit your game time and don’t allow yourself to get carried away. Get yourself the right gaming equipment and if you’re not sure what to buy, check out this guide from TheTechReviewer.
You should schedule your game time in with other activities or use it as a reward, such as for after you have finished work, school or chores. If you have trouble getting caught up in a game and not recognizing how much time has passed, then you might try setting a timer to keep track of your game time.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
You may not see the connection between video games and a healthy diet at first but when you take time to think about it, you’ll see why it’s so important. Hardcore gamers often don’t stop playing long enough to sit down and eat a meal. Instead, they tend to fill up on junk foods, sodas and energy drinks.
This is destroying your body and many gamers gain weight because they eat so many sugary snacks and never get enough exercise. They’re always behind a computer or gaming system planning their next move. They don’t think they have time to eat right.
A good nutritious meal is even more important for those who stay up late at night playing games. Foods containing protein, vitamins and fat such as fish, beef, beans, milk and pork are excellent choices. Substitute your sugary snacks for nuts, dried fruits and water.
Move Around Often
It’s easy to get so wrapped up in a quest or story that you spend hours behind the controllers without taking a single break. This is bad for your body and your eyes. You’re not getting any exercise and you’re putting strain on your arms, wrists, fingers, legs and back. Your eyes are straining to keep up with the game or to stare at a screen. Sitting on the video games for too long can also give you headaches.
Even though your adrenalin may be flowing while you’re playing, your body will feel the strain and fatigue when you do stop. It will take longer for your body to recuperate and over time, it will take its toll on your health. Limiting your playing time and taking a break often to move around will make a difference.
Pay Attention to Your Body
Above all else, pay attention to your body. When you feel hungry and it’s near mealtime, stop playing for a while and partake in a good healthy meal. When your body begins to feel stiff or sore, you know you’ve been playing too long. Call it a day and go for a walk or engage in a good exercise routine to get your blood flowing. When your eyes begin to sting and burn, you’ve been staring at that screen too long again so take a break. If you pay attention to your body, it will tell you when you’ve had enough.
What tips do you have for maintaining a healthy gamer life?
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