Gaming is super fun and it has also been scientifically proven to improve one’s reflexes and problem-solving abilities. Add to that modern platforms like Twitch, YouTube, etc. as well as the professional gaming scene and you have a wonderful profession. This makes Gaming the dream-come-true for passionate gamers like us who can earn a good living by doing what we love, all day long! However, this lifestyle also carries with it certain health risks which we should be aware of. Since we are seated throughout the day and use pretty much the same fingers over and over again, we run the risk of developing ailments in our backs and fingers. Fear not, for there are a few simple steps that you can take each day which will allow you to continue living this wonderful dream life.
Ideal Ergonomic Set-up for Gamers (Source: Wikipedia)
Ergonomics is one of the most important aspects that a lot of beginner gamers tend to ignore. There is a reason professional gamers spend the money that they do to buy good quality chairs, keyboards, tables, etc. They think in terms of long term benefits, i.e., they see the thousands of Dollars saved in medical bills in comparison with the hundreds that you can save in buying a second-grade seating set-up. When setting up your seating arrangement, make sure you follow the rough angles provided in the image. This will give you the optimum set-up that will allow you to keep playing with minimal strain on the body. If you wear glasses, be sure to add an anti-glare coating to it. This will help you see clearly and also prevent stray beams of light from affecting your vision. Test the entire set-up and make tweaks as and when necessary. It will often be tough to get everything right the very first time. Hence, set it up as close to the best positions as possible and make small tweaks over time. This will help you achieve optimum posture.
Cobra Pose or Bhujangasana (Source: Yoga for Coders)
Sitting for long periods of time puts enormous accumulated stress on the spine and lower back. This stress needs to be relieved often through counter stretches. This is exactly what Yoga poses help us achieve. There are several Yoga Poses that stretch and strengthen various parts of the body. However, as Gamers, we only need to concentrate on the parts that are most affected by our daily lifestyle and perform those poses which will help us the most. These are the cobra pose, the downward dog pose, and the plank pose. It is recommended that you combine these Yoga poses with proper breathing practice to maximize the benefits and also improve our ability to concentrate for long periods of time.
Eye Exercises (Source: Cleardekho)
Since gaming often requires our eyes to focus on the screen for long periods of time, our eyes are stressed and often go very dry. This is because focusing on a small region prevents us from blinking often. Blinking keeps the eyes lubricated and when we stop blinking our eyes go dry. Hence, when we do take a small break every now and then, it is recommended that we practice a few eye exercises. These exercises will not only keep the eyes moist and fresh but also put the eye muscles to good use.
Badminton (Source: Wikipedia)
If you have free time in the mornings or evenings it is also recommended that you go out and play some light aerobic sports such as badminton or tennis. This will allow you to flex all the muscles in the body and thereby keep the blood flowing effectively. This is very important to prevent illnesses such as the Carpal tunnel syndrome which can be very painful and may even bring our gaming career to an end.
Follow these 4 simple steps to lead a healthy life and keep any kind of gaming related illnesses at bay.
Author Bio:
Mohan is a Digital Marketing Associate at Swag Swami, an online E-Commerce portal for fashion wear. He is also an avid gamer who spends his free time logged into Steam. His favorite games are CS Go and FIFA. He also practices Yoga and meditation regularly and teaches Yoga at the Salim Ali Center in India.
