Whether you’re a PC gamer or you prefer your Xbox, we all know that it’s pretty easy to get caught up in the lifestyle and lose track of everything else. However, this can lead to some pretty unhealthy habits at times – but it’s important to look after yourself. Sitting sedentary and eating who-knows-what isn’t good for us at the best of times, but when you’re doing this regularly, there are precautions you can take. If you’re feeling good in body and in mind, you’re even more sure to be on top of your game!
Eat right
Cooking? Who has time for cooking on the week of a new release, right? Going out is just as out of the question, but thankfully, you can opt to eat in. Takeaway options are now healthier than ever, so it doesn’t just need to be about pizzas and burgers – you can essentially have anything you like. With the rise of services like Deliveroo bringing your favorite restaurants from sushi to pasta to you, you can sit and play to your heart’s content while still enjoying fresh options like a sushi buffet or tasty salad. It’ll stop the temptation to snack.
It’s also imperative to keep your drinking in check. Unwinding on a Friday night with a few beers is fine, but if you’re drinking bottles upon bottles of the stuff every night while you’re playing, you might want to keep an eye on it.
Switch your games up
Going outside and getting exercise may well not traditionally be compatible with a true “gamer” lifestyle, but thanks to recent inventions, things are looking up. Even though you might prefer consoles or your computer, getting outside and playing Pokemon Go from time to time can keep you glued to your screen while still getting your steps in! Keeping active is important for a lot of reasons, including combating obesity, heart disease, and other illnesses. Alternatively, you could try exercising at your desk!
Of course, we also can’t forget that long before augmented reality, there were interactive Nintendo Wii games. Come on, we know you’ve still got one. Dig it out, and before long you’ll be bowling (and at least on your feet) in your very own front room.
Keep your mental health in check
Staying indoors constantly and existing in digital worlds can be quite isolating, and continued ostracisation from society can lead to mental health conditions. To combat this, consider making full use of chat functions within games, and even consider (safely) attending meet-ups offline, too.
Gaming when it’s overdone has now actually been classified as a mental health condition by the World Health Organisation. According to the experts, when it starts to imitate other addictive behaviors and patterns, it can be extremely problematic. When it takes over – and starts to affect – all aspects of your life, it is then classed as a psychological disorder. So while playing is a lot of fun, it might be best to get into the habit of limiting yourself, at least in some respect.
Nobody is trying to take your fun away – if anything, you want gaming to simply complement a life that’s already full of fun in its own right.
