Healthy Gaming Tips to Keep You Winning

Tips and info on staying at the top of your game

Posted on  by Aaron "Better Actions" Knowles
Lifestyle

Healthy Gaming Tips to Keep You Winning

Tips and info on staying at the top of your game

Posted on  by Aaron "Better Actions" Knowles
Lifestyle

How many hours have you been playing straight? How many “just one more” matches is this for you? When did you last eat? Are you staying hydrated? Are you sitting up straight?

These may seem like silly questions, they may seem unnecessary and they may seem like nagging when you are scrolling through your Twitter timeline and you see those same questions being posted and asked and beaten to death.

But are they wrong? No. Are you doing these things? Probably not. Are they important? Absolutely.

Some of the biggest obstacles to faster movements, quicker thinking and muscle strain all start in the same place; what are you eating and are you staying hydrated?

According to an article on MedicalNewsToday.Com from Dec 2020, the 3rd best benefit of eating a healthy diet is a better mood.

In 2016, researchers found that diets with high glycemic load may trigger symptoms of depression and fatigue. High glycemic load foods are things like white rice, white and whole wheat bread, cakes, cookies and sweets. 

“A diet with a high glycemic load includes many refined carbohydrates, such as those found in soft drinks, cakes, white bread, and biscuits. Vegetables, whole fruit, and whole grains have a lower glycemic load.” - the Medical News Today article continued. 

According to that same article, the 5th highest benefit from a healthy diet is improved memory. The article continues with saying that a healthy diet can even contribute to a good night’s sleep? So for those of you with terrible sleep cycles, take a look at your diet and you may be able to fix that quicker.

Besides eating healthier, I am sure many of us are guilty of not staying hydrated even when we aren’t gaming for hours.

The common saying is that doctors recommend you drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day to keep you hydrated, but there is actually very little behind that “rule”. 

I was always told that if you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. 

However, the benefits of drinking water and/or staying hydrated are huge, and can really help or hinder your efficiency as a well oiled machine in whatever battle royale you are currently grinding.

The number one reason to stay hydrated, according to Healthline.com’s June 2020 article, 7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water, is that it helps you maximize your physical performance. 

[Dehydration] can lead to altered body temperature control, reduced motivation, and increased fatigue. It can also make exercise feel much more difficult, both physically and mentally. - Healthline.com

The Healthline.com article continues to talk about how your hydration levels can significantly affect your energy levels and your brain function, as well as increasing the frequency of headaches.

The bottom line is that your hydration and your nutrition can affect you mentally and physically, even in the most mild of cases.

While I was researching more about nutrition and gaming, I found that many websites have some really good tips on staying healthy for your gaming career, and while reading it, it really dawned on me that gamers are athletes.

As athletes, we should really be smarter with how we take care of our bodies, and if you have any intention of staying competitive like that football player, or that basketball player or that distance runner, then you need to start treating yourself better and like an athlete.

Here are the most common and important tips that come along with staying hydrated and eating well:

Posture check

Ergonomic setups can ease pain in your back, in your shoulders and all the way down into your hands, which if you are a gamer or an eSport athlete, or both, then your hands are your money makers and you need to treat them right.

Limit your playtime

What? I thought being healthy would help me play more! Yes and no, because limiting yourself will decrease your chances of a hand injury, bad posture, bad sleep cycle and allow you to rest and recuperate before returning to the arena.

Exercise?

Yes, exercise. Even if it is stretching, yoga or just going for a quick walk around the house. Blood flow will increase, your oxygen levels will probably need some increase and it will do double good because you can take a break, which adds to your stamina. Go get a glass of water, it will be three times the benefit!

Prioritize rest and diet

I was always taught that my body is a machine. A machine requires rest or it will overheat or break due to overuse. I was taught to give the machine fuel, the right kind, or it will not be as efficient. Take breaks, eat right and check in with your body to ensure that you know what's going on with it.

Healthcare

If something seems wrong, go talk to someone. Your doctor, your parents, your friend, or even your neighbor. Come up on the radar and let someone know how you are. Physically, mentally and emotionally, we need to be healthy to be the best versions of ourselves and sometimes we cannot fix these things on our own, so invest in yourself and your body, and it will not let you down.

Lastly, we need to also check in with our friends who are gamers and make sure they are taking care of themselves. This is important. Gaming, streaming and stress from both can lead to fatigue, poor mood, poor nutrition and poor sleep. All of these things compound and can make us feel like we are not in the best places. 

So, the next time someone you know or even you, yourself, feel like you need a break… take it. And go get some sleep, drink some water and call a friend. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other so that we can continue kicking ass and getting those W’s.

And if you happen to find any builds that you think would be better, feel free to share them with us over on Twitter HERE.

And don’t forget to get your GameFace on!

For those that may need it, or for those of you that may know someone who needs it, please remember that 24 hours a day, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available; 800-273-8255.