Sometimes, gaming isn’t synonymous with healthy lifestyles. After all, for some hardcore gamers, dedication to the game often comes before everything else, including health and wellbeing! That being said, if you want to be able to play at your best, you need to ensure that you are taking care of your physical and mental health.

If you already know that you have allowed your passion for gaming to get in the way of your health, you need to act fast before it is too late and you start to experience the ill effects of too much gaming.

With that in mind, read on to discover seven healthy lifestyle tips for gamers that promise to help you enhance your overall performance and enjoy your hobby more safely without compromising your wellbeing.

1. Stay hydrated

If you love nothing more than guzzling down an energy drink or two when you are gaming, you should know that these beverages can seriously affect your health. While their high caffeine content will make you feel more alert in the short term, they can cause a whole host of health issues when consumed in high quantities, including insomnia, rapid heart rate, and dizziness.

Instead, focus on keeping yourself hydrated by drinking the recommended daily amount of water. If you feel you need a little energy boost, opt for a natural energy drink such as Yerba mate tea or a nootropic drink.

2. Eat well

If you want to stay healthy and be able to game for longer, you must ensure you are getting a nutritionally balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. As a general rule, a lot of gamers tend to snack rather than eat three meals a day, as this allows them to continue gaming without the need to break away to make a proper lunch or dinner and sit down at the table.

If this is the case for you, you need to ensure that you get all the vitamins and minerals you need from your choice of snacks. Try to stay away from junk food and processed foods all the time; instead, fill up on fruit, nuts, seeds, and other healthy food items.

3. Get sufficient sleep

As any hardcore gamer will know, sleep is not always a priority when you are in the middle of a mission or a quest. However, if you want to game at your best and maintain your health and wellbeing, you need to make sure you are getting enough sleep.

To ensure this, it can be a good idea to set a time limit for each gaming session. It can also be beneficial to stop gaming at least one hour before you plan to go to sleep, as this will give your mind and body sufficient time to unwind and relax before bedtime.

Try reading a book, having a warm bath, or simply resting on your bed before you get some much-needed shut-eye. For those who like to game throughout the night, try to take a few naps during the daytime so that your body and mind have time to recuperate and rest.

If winding down is a problem after a long gaming session, you may want to try a natural relaxant like certain herbal teas, or nootropics.

4. Focus on ergonomics

If you have invested in a gaming chair or desk, then you have probably already heard of the term “ergonomics”. When it comes to gaming safely, ergonomics can help you be more comfortable and efficient during playtime. It can also help to reduce any pressure or strain on your body.

Focus on creating an ergonomic setup and opt for furniture that boasts an ergonomic design. For example, set the arms of your gaming chair so that they are high enough to let your forearms rest gently when your arms are at your side.

5. Stay active

Did you know that the average pro gamer practices for around 50 hours per week? That is a long time spent sitting in front of a screen – essentially, that’s a full-time job!

If you spend long periods of time gaming, it is vital to set aside sufficient time to partake in some form of physical activity. While you may not want to join a gym or become part of a sports team, there are lots of different ways that you can stay active in between gaming sessions.

Try going for a brisk walk around the block once every few hours, running up and down the stairs sporadically throughout the day, or visiting your local swimming pool a couple of times a week.

6. Stretch regularly

If you start to feel a little stiff or sluggish when you are gaming, it can be a good idea to stand up and do some stretches. Although you can stretch some muscles while still sitting in your gaming chair, it is much better to get up and move about when taking a break from a game.

For the best results, perform antagonist movements – which are movements that are the opposite of the movements you make when gaming.

7. Avoid eye strain

Do you ever experience headaches when you have been gaming for prolonged periods? If yes, this could be down to eye strain.

When you focus on a screen for too long, either a television, a phone, or a tablet, your eyes can start to become dry, and you may experience headaches and even double vision.

This is why it is important that you take regular breaks from the screen and carry out actions that will actively help prevent eye strain.

When you game, your eyes focus on a monitor that is around 20-25 inches away from your face. So, when you take a break from the screen, it can be highly beneficial to focus your eyes on different objects that are further away.
While you may not think that your gaming lifestyle is harming your health and wellbeing, if you don’t take the time to look after yourself, you will suffer in the long term.

Fill up your gamer fridge with healthier options

Here at Go Mate, we offer natural alternatives to energy drinks, we call them smart drinks, that are specially formulated to make you feel more alert, energised, and focused without any of the detrimental effects on your health that everyday energy drinks cause.

If you’re an avid gamer who’s trying to lead a healthier lifestyle, consider switching your traditional energy beverages to alternative ones in our drinks range, which can help you be at your best for gaming without loading your body with all of those unhealthy ingredients that lead to negative side effects.