Gaming is one of the most common forms of entertainment in the modern age, with almost half of the global population being active gamers. But how do we ensure that we have healthy gaming habits? Read on.
We often use gaming as a distraction; perhaps you’ve had a long day at work or school, or maybe you are using gaming to escape when you are in a tough spot mentally. However, getting too drawn into a different reality is expected, which can cause more harm than good. With this, here are my top tips for ensuring that gaming for you is still the healthy and positive resource that it can be:
- Remember, staying hydrated is not just a health tip; it’s a gaming strategy. Getting lost in the fast-paced action and forgetting to drink water is easy, but staying hydrated can prevent pesky headaches that can ruin your gaming experience. So, keep that water bottle handy and clear your head for the next level.
- Be aware of responsibilities—don’t allow gaming to excuse you from completing daily tasks like showering or having dinner. It is common to forget these things when we are too drawn in, but when using gaming, we must ensure that we still have healthy habits.
- Don’t let your gaming session become a pain in the neck. Sitting in one spot for long periods, especially in front of a screen, can strain your posture and eyes. To avoid this, stretch, walk around, or exercise for a few minutes every hour or so. It’s not just a break from the game; it’s a break for your body, ensuring you can keep playing without discomfort.
- Manage your emotions—Some games can be frustrating, and that is normal. However, when a game is causing a lot of frustration, it is important to take a step back to calm down and re-evaluate whether the game you are playing is helping you relax. If it is, in fact, making you feel worse, then maybe it is time to find something new to play.
Always remember why you are gaming and do everything in your power to not veer from that path. If you are gaming as a form of entertainment, make sure you are still entertained and not upset by it. Finally, what are your healthy gaming habit tips?
Some links to read more on this topic:
https://www.nyit.edu/news/features/study_gamers_stand_to_benefit_from_walking_breaks
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaming-Parenting-Finding-Healthy-Balance
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaming-Wellness-Journal-Jaquois-Griffith
https://gamequitters.com/healthy-gaming-habits
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash