The Healthy Way to Game: A Guide to Developing Strong Gaming Habits
Written by Jacob Butler
Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Geeky Shots on Unsplash
Gaming as a hobby is often seen as unhealthy, and while that isn’t necessarily always true (as I explored in this article), there are a lot of ways gaming can be detrimental to your health, if you’re not careful. The issue is, that while everyone knows video games are unhealthy to some degree, very few people seem to know exactly what health risks they pose and how to handle them. There are many ways to make gaming an equally fun and healthy experience, but with a lack of information it can be hard to know exactly what to do. That’s where this article comes in! I've compiled a series of tips for how to better deal with the dangers associated with video games, so that you can stay informed and stay healthy.
Plan for Success
When engaging with any hobby it's important to develop a plan. This is doubly the case for gaming, since excessively playing video games can harm your time management skills, cause mental fatigue, and lead to video game addiction. But how should one go about making a gaming schedule? First, it's important to decide how long you’re willing to spend playing video games each day. Unfortunately, there seems to be no clear understanding as to how many hours a day is too many, so instead of following one clear set of rules, players will have to create plans that account for their individual circumstances. For example, if you feel you are becoming addicted to video games, you should probably work to limit your hours. Personally, I’m trying to cut down to 1 hour a day, as that’s what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends and I know the impact several hours of gaming each day can have on my physical and mental state. That said, it’s truly up to you to work out exactly what fits your life–just make sure that you’re aware of how much time you spend and what effect it has on you.
After you decide how long you’re going to play, you should also determine when you’re going to play. Video games can often lead to poor time management, causing people to miss out on important parts of their lives. I know I've fallen behind on a fair share of assignments for the sake of playing one more round of a game before, and it’s always a terribly stressful experience. Making sure to plot out a specific playtime can help keep you from procrastination, while also making the games you play feel more rewarding. It gives your brain something to look forward to each day, whereas playing whenever you want to can sometimes make the rest of your life feel like more of a chore. Taking control of your gaming times is instrumental in making the hobby that much more manageable, and that much easier on your physical and mental health.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Video games, like most other screen-based activities, are bad for the eyes. Not only do video games cause players to blink less, but they also emit blue light which can harm vision and reduce melatonin levels, making it harder for players to sleep. Luckily, there are many ways to reduce the amount of harm done to one's eyes. One of the most common pieces of advice is to apply the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds). Pausing every once in a while to remind yourself to blink is also a good idea, as is changing your computer's display settings to reduce blue light and make your display brightness match the brightness of your room. On top of that, making sure to avoid screens for a few hours before bed can both help your eyes and your sleep schedule. It can be hard to implement these strategies, as video games draw a lot of focus. That's why it's important to remain vigilant, setting timers, changing computer displays, and properly scheduling your time to keep yourself safe. Your eyesight will thank you.
Stand Up for Yourself
One of the biggest problems with video games is that they encourage a sedentary lifestyle. Video games don’t tend to involve a lot of movement or significant physical activity, and as a result, players tend to have worse diets, higher rates of obesity, and worse overall physical fitness, which can lead to a myriad of other health problems. Studies show that sitting for several hours can increase your risk of dying in a similar way to smoking, and video games often require players to stay stationary for hours on end. Luckily, there are many ways to alleviate this risk. Moderate exercise for about an hour each day can work wonders for your body's overall health, and even taking five minutes to walk around every two hours makes a significant difference in combating this lifestyle. Of course, a regular exercise regimen would be even better for your health, but if you’re not in a position to lift weights or run laps, just taking that extra time to stand up every once in a while makes a huge difference.
And while you’re taking a break to move around after a rousing match of LOL or Overwatch, it’s a good idea to use that time to make yourself a healthy snack! Gamers on average tend to eat more saturated fat and sodium and less vegetables than the norm. This makes a lot of sense, since most popular snacks, like chips and chocolate, aren't exactly the most healthy meal options, and when you’re playing a video game you don't tend to want to stop and make food when eating a bunch of store bought snacks is way quicker. That said, a healthy diet will not only improve your overall quality of life, it can make you even better at the games you play! If you are going to eat while gaming, make sure you pay attention to exactly what you’re eating, as it could significantly impact your life later on.
These are just some of the many ways you can improve your gaming habits. While all of this advice can certainly help you alleviate several of the dangers associated with video games, it's only the beginning as far as health goes. Taking care of yourself is a constant process, and it takes consistent effort and introspection. If you use this information as a springboard to do your own research, develop your own strategies, and continue to work to improve yourself, your body will be forever grateful.
What do you think about these tips? Do you have other tricks to stay healthy while gaming? If so, feel free to let us know on our social media pages.