Gaming Lifestyle: 15 Healthy Habits for Gamers

Gamers

Despite past misconceptions about gamers being awkward and antisocial, that stats say otherwise. Recent surveys tell us that the gaming community has never been bigger or more successful than it is in 2021.

In 2015, there were only 1.99 active gamers worldwide. But six years later the number stands at 2.81 billion—and it’s only expected to rise. The gaming community is more popular than ever before, but many of its members struggle to strike a healthy balance between work, socializing, and playing.

Maintaining healthy habits is an integral part of anyone’s life. Gaming is a way of life for many people, but staying glued to the screen can be damaging on a number of different levels.

There’s nothing wrong with molding your lifestyle around gaming. However, in doing so, you need to adopt a few healthy habits that allow you to keep at it for years to come.

These are the top 15 best healthy habits for gamers looking to attain a great balance.

  1. Move Your Body

If you’re in the middle of your favorite game, getting up and moving your body is probably the last thing on your mind. However, taking frequent breaks from sitting or lying down to stretch your legs and encourage circulation will help you feel stronger and more focused for the next round.

  1. Take Regular Screen Breaks

These days, screens emit blue light, which over time can contribute to numerous eye problems such as dryness, eye strain, blurry vision, and even cataracts. Give your eyes a break from the screen for at least 10 minutes every hour and avoid damages later on down the line.

  1. Stay Well Hydrated

This simple but absolutely essential habit should already be a part of your daily routine. Yet unfortunately for many people, it isn’t. Drinking water throughout the day will ensure your body stays hydrated and energized, allowing you to fight off illness and concentrate better.

  1. Eat Nutritious Food

There’s nothing wrong with a takeout-and-gaming night every now and then, but try not to make it a regular habit if you want your body to remain in optimal health. Make things easier for yourself by keeping healthy ingredients handy so that you don’t have an excuse for takeaways every night.

  1. Take Outside Walks

A breath of fresh air does everyone a world of good, and gamers are no exception. Take yourself into the garden or down the street after a long gaming session, or schedule weekly hikes. Sitting indoors for hours on end can get claustrophobic, but it’s nothing the great outdoors can’t fix.

  1. Keep Tabs On Your Eyes

Many gamers develop eye strain or other sight-related ailments from the heavy screen time they’re exposed to. If you haven’t been to the optometrist in a few years, check in to find out how your eyes are doing and whether or not they need some extra support. Better late than never!

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  1. Ration Your Daily Gaming Hours

Without a daily limit, reigning yourself in from playing all day long can get very difficult. Ration your daily gaming allowance into a set number of minutes or hours and don’t deviate from it (at least, unless it’s a special occasion). This will ensure you still have enough time to do your other tasks.

  1. Keep Your Environment Clean

Keeping your living areas clean is an unavoidable aspect of being an adult, and that applies to everyone. Regularly sanitize your gaming accessories and sitting area, and open windows to ensure a healthy flow of natural air. A cluttered living environment isn’t fun for anyone and can throw off your game if you’re not careful.

  1. Know Your Limit And Stick To It

It’s one thing to create a daily gaming limit, but sticking to it is another story. Consider how much time is both satisfying and healthy for you to spend on gaming. Then make sure you don’t push yourself further than necessary. A balanced lifestyle is what you should aim for.

  1. Socialize With Friends Offline

As much fun as it can be to game with your friends online, spending time with friends outside of the gaming realm is good for you, too. Make an effort to get yourself out of the house every now and then to exercise your other social skills and take a break from the screen.

  1. Keep Healthy Snacks Handy

Gaming for hours on end calls for delicious, easy-to-prepare snacks, so make sure you have healthy ones on hand. It’s often tempting to go for fast-food snack options like fries or candy, but providing yourself with nutritious alternatives will give you more energy and save you cash.

  1. Create (And Maintain) A Personal Gaming Budget

Without a proper budget for your gaming expenses, your spending can quickly get out of control. There is such an extensive, ever-growing variety of games and accessories that the temptation to continually splash out is ever-present. Every responsible gamer should allocate a budget for their purchases to prevent excessive spending. That way, you can make sure you have enough money to grow your collection while affording all other necessities.

  1. Embrace Other Hobbies

Gaming is a great hobby and lifestyle for many, but focusing solely on just gaming alone may prevent you from discovering other interests and passions. You can still be an avid gamer while exploring and enjoying other activities like cooking, art, or rock climbing.

  1. Connect With Other Gamers Online And Offline

There is much knowledge, experience, and enjoyment to be found in connecting with people who are as passionate about gaming as you are. Take advantage of the many online and offline gaming communities and forums designed for connecting and learning together as a whole.

  1. Stay Grounded

For many people, a huge part of the appeal of gaming is its aspect of escapism from the “real world”.  Entering the fantasy world of gaming can help you to let go of stress and find fulfillment in life, but try not to let that prevent you from appreciating what your everyday life has to offer.

The key to forming healthy habits is a balanced lifestyle that promotes quality of life—whether in relation to gaming, work, sleep, or any other factor. Use as many of these 15 tips to stay healthy and you’ll enjoy more quality game time for sure.

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