Contrary to what you may think, there has been an increase in female gamers. This is evident in the statistics, which show that women form 41% of the country’s total gamer population. Although gaming offers numerous mental health benefits, it can also present many health risks, especially if you fail to strike a workable balance between your gaming and health habits. You want to spend enough time enjoying your favorite games, but you also want to do so in a way that doesn’t interfere with your daily life. So, whether you’re a newbie to the gaming world or have been playing for a bit, here are some tips to become a healthy female gamer.
- Play for the fun of it
Gaming offers immense mental health benefits. These include brain stimulation, relief from stress, and help you develop coping mechanisms during difficult times and help you deal with loneliness. On the other hand, gaming, primarily online gaming, can increase stress levels and even cause you to become depressed. This usually happens in two main ways – online bullying when playing with others and the frustration of struggling with your gameplay.
The simple solution is to remember that you’re playing for the fun of it, even if you want to forge a career out of gaming. Always aim to have fun whenever you’re playing and don’t take any other thing too seriously. This way, you can protect your mental health while enjoying your game.
- Manage your gaming time
No matter how addictive or fun your game is, it is quite physically and socially unhealthy to be behind 24/7. Take breaks to catch up with your regular life and set other life goals for yourself. Failing to manage your gaming time effectively can affect your job, schooling, and your physical health. For example, sitting for countless hours can cause back pain and even worsen certain health conditions. If you’re suffering from a hernia or recovering from treatment, for instance, prolonged sitting can worsen your situation.
And, speaking of hernia, you can seek the services of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers if you’re harmed by a failing hernia mesh that requires removal and possible replacement. You can file a lawsuit against a hernia mesh manufacturer whose product has caused you injury that requires surgery.
- Take regular breaks
Long gaming sessions without breaks can harm your body. Whether you’re crouched over your smartphone or sitting behind a monitor, being in the same position for a long time can cause body and muscle pains. You can also risk experiencing eye strain from staring at your screen for too long. So, be sure to take regular breaks to attend to other things. You can walk around to stretch your legs, get some sleep, interact with some friends, and so on.
- Eat healthily and stay hydrated
Try to avoid processed foods as much as possible and drink enough water to stay hydrated. Your body will need all the hydration and nutrition it needs to function correctly, especially if your joints will remain in the same position for a long time. Be sure to have drinking water near you at all times, and avoid the temptation to reach out for carbonated and caffeine-rich drinks.
