Healthy Habits: Healthy Gaming

It’s the second week of September, the leaves are already falling (at an alarming rate!), the mornings are damp and chilly, and it’s week two of our Healthy Habits month! This week we want to focus a little more on healthy gaming. Oh, you’re going to tell us off; we hear you scream! Absolutely not. Gone are the days of gaming being considered something unhealthy or bad for you; instead, we’ve entered the era of esports, cozy sofa gaming, and thriving online player communities. We’re not here to tell you off or how to game, but we did a little reading, gathered some info, and want to equip you with tools to make your gaming habits, healthy habits.

Like playing any game, a firm grasp of the basics is fundamental to success. Those of us who spend our working days at a desk know the importance of a proper setup. Back-supporting chairs, your workstation at the right height, and regular movement around the office to pester your colleagues – gaming is no different. Esports Healthcare, which specializes in its namesake, has some comprehensive and highly recommended guides on your setup as well as your approach to gaming.

Let’s begin with posture and ergonomics. Not only does the latter sound great to say, but it’s also an important part of gaming, especially when it comes to reducing aches and pains. As far as possible, you should be sitting up straight with your shoulders back and down and making sure you avoid leaning forward. This is achieved by both posture and how you carry your body, as well as by the equipment you use and how you set this up.

Taking regular breaks. Yep, it’s a simple one we’ve all heard before because it works. But let’s go one step further. Esports Health recommends ‘antagonist movements,’ put simply, the opposite of the thing you’ve been doing. If you’re sitting, stand and move around (we’re back to that that wandering around and pestering your colleagues that we mentioned earlier). But these breaks also extend beyond your limbs; your eyes also need rest time from a screen, and if you’re console gaming, think about giving your hands a reprieve from that fixed controller-holding position.

Try switching to healthier snacks. Gaming is a hungry business, and it’s hard to avoid snacking, but how about reaching for healthy nuts, homemade guacamole, and beef jerky instead of chips and candy? And when you’re thirsty? Water, water, water. We all have that friend who tells us to drink more water; they might be stuck on repeat, but they might also be correct (it’s okay, you don’t need to tell them that). Good hydration is a fundamental part of general good health.

And lastly, sleep. Another obvious one but another correct one. You can’t be at your best when gaming if you are not properly rested, and it’s, of course, a fundamental part of getting time away from the screen.

In 2022, Oxford University conducted the largest-ever survey of nearly 40,000 gamers, discussing their habits, and drawing conclusions on the impact of gaming on mental health. The TL;DR is that the research could find “no ‘causal link’ between gaming and poor mental health – whatever sort of games are being played.” However, they went on to make an important distinction between the “experience of gamers who play ‘because they want to’ and those who play ‘because they feel they have to.’”

OK, that’s a lot of words, and if you read the study, a lot of science. But for us, it has a couple of key things to think about. First, we don’t want to tell you how much to game and what constitutes too much gaming. This is an important aspect of self-reflection and, maybe, even self-growth. However, as part of a healthy habits month, you might try to examine your gaming habits objectively.

Second, it’s good to consider why you’re gaming and what motivates you. Reasons such as relaxing after work, being one of your sources of entertainment, and catching up with your online party are all fantastic. If this drifts towards a need to game as opposed to a desire, then it could be another reason to think about your gaming habits.

Or rather don’t panic! Our intention has not been to worry, scald, or chastise you. There has always been a level of panic attached to video games throughout their history. Some warranted, most unwarranted (you know, this might even form the basis of a future deep-dive article, watch this space) and we don’t want to add to that noise. Instead, we hope to provide you with some tools, find small ways to improve your habits and help ensure you’re getting the best out of your time and gaming time. So take this advice, adjust your gaming chair, pick new healthy snacks, and maybe even cut down your hours a little. Or ignore it all. Do what is best for you, and go for that next high score!