World Health Day, celebrated annually on April 7th, reminders video gamers and players of casino games for real money of the importance of focusing on physical and mental health. For gambling aficionados, World Health Day is an ideal time to reflect on how our gaming hobby can integrate with healthy living practices so that we can enjoy the fun and excitement of our favorite pastime. How Can we celebrate World Health Day and keep our health as a top priority while we indulge in gaming action.
Gaming and Health
Online gaming has grown significantly over the years and with that growth has come concerns about gamers’ health practices. Health officials and the general public worry that gamers have a sedentary lifestyle that can lead to obesity, cardiovascular health issues and other physical problems.
- There's a perception that gamers rely on unhealthy snacks and drinks (like soda and fast food) to fill their stomachs during gaming sessions which then contributes to poor dietary habits.
- It’s generally believed that gamers prioritize gameplay over sleep which leads to fatigue and poor mental health.
- Some observers view gamers as socially isolated hermits who spend more time in front of their screen than they do engaging in face-to-face interactions which can then develop into anxiety or depression.
- Gamers, some believe, are pre-disposed to suffer from eye strain and posture issues at higher rates than is common in the non-gaming population and their overall health is negatively impacted by their lack of exercise.
Healthy Habits
Maintaining healthy habits is important for everyone but as we are reminded on World Health Day, we have to be aware of how healthy habits fits into our personal lives. Both casual players and professional gamers need to take into account how their gaming activities can prevent them from fully embracing the healthiest possible lifestyle. Some of the major hurdles include:
Nutrition
It’s easy to fill up on snack food while you’re playing games but if you don’t plan ahead to make sure that you satisfy your nutritional needs, your health will be negatively impacted and, in the end, you won’t be able to enjoy your gaming pastime.
If you don’t feel that you have time or energy to cook proper meals, don’t go looking for fast food to fill yourself up. Keep a ready supply of cut-up fruits and vegetables on which to snack. Make quick meals with crackers and cheese and other healthy spreads.
Pop some frozen vegetables in a pot with some water and add in a few cans of beans and lentils so that you always have a healthy soup ready to heat up. Simple oatmeal with fruit, dried fruit and nuts will keep you satisfied.
Exercise
It’s easy to promise that you’ll set aside a certain amount of time every day to move your body but, more often than not, that doesn’t happen. However, there are things that you can do to exercise while you’re gaming!
Try seated exercises like chair dips, leg raises and desk push ups. When you stand up, do some wall sits, calf raises and side leg raises. Make sure that you stretch your neck, wrist and fingers and roll your shoulders periodically.
There are accessories to help you stay moving while you’re at your gaming screen. Check out stability balls, balance boards and under-the-desk ellipticals.
Set a timer for every 30-60 minutes and use those times to do short workouts with squats, jumping jacks and burpees. Develop the habit of stretching or otherwise moving after every win. If you have a standing desk, incorporate some light exercises like squats or calf raises while standing. If your game has a musical audio track, dance or do simple movements to the music.
There’s no limit to what you can do to combine your gaming activities with some movement.
Balance Between Gaming and Health
Regardless of whether you’re gaming competitively, gaming for real money or playing for free, it’s essential that you find a balance between the world of gaming and your fundamental need for physical and mental wellness.
Gaming brings with it a number of benefits. Gaming has been shown to enhance different types of cognitive abilities such as problem-solving skills, spatial awareness and critical thinking. Gamers enjoy a high level of connectivity with tournaments and jackpot games that allow them to connect with and compete against other players from around the world. Gaming can serve as an effective method of stress relief, allowing the player to unwind, relax and escape from the realities of daily life.
These benefits come with risks associated with excessive gaming so, to enjoy the benefits of gaming while minimizing health risks, you need to adopt a balanced approach to enjoy optimal health. Some ways to do this include
- Set time limits with designated gaming times to help maintain balance. Use a timer so that you can set specific hours for your gaming activity and prevent it from encroaching on your work life and your relationships.
- Incorporate physical activity into your gaming sessions. Take regular breaks and use that time to stretch, do a quick workout or even take a brisk walk. Some VR games even promote movement as part of the game.
- Make sleep a priority. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. Limit gaming and other screen time activities before bed. Create a pre-sleep routine such as meditation or reading to wind down.
- Prioritize games that promote positive social interactions such as casino tournament play and jackpot games.
- Pay attention to the emotional impact of gaming. If your gaming activities are interfering with your relationships or daily life, take a break.
With a little thought, a healthy lifestyle can be integrated into your gaming life!
