What Gamers Need To Know About Their Health

An extended gaming session - or a continuous number of them - could have certain severe long-term repercussions. Here are a few ways to ensure that we can keep on adventuring while at the same time avoiding that stressful visit to the doctor!

After what many have described as a dry period for the gaming industry, with sales numbers reporting a noticeable drop within the past few months, the winter (or summer, depending on where you are) period slowly begins to peek over the horizon. With it comes a number of exciting and noteworthy titles that promise to keep us enthralled and glued to our screens for long periods of time, the passing of which we, of course, will fail to notice due to all the fun we're having.

God of War: Ragnarok, Hogwarts Legacy, Gotham Knights, The Last Of Us Part One, The Callisto Protocol, Pokemon Violet and Scarlet, and Forspoken are but a few of the games that are set to release within the next six months. Some will release within days of each other, giving us very little time to complete one journey before diving into the next.

Ways to deal with gaming-related health issues

That being said, it's plainly obvious that we're going to be spending a lot of time indoors, away from the daylight, holding a controller in our hands. In doing so, we may unknowingly be putting our health at risk. In what way, you may ask? That's an excellent question!

According to reports, the average gamer spends almost nine hours per week in front of their screens. Therefore, that makes them more susceptible to various health problems and vitamin deficiencies such as joint pains from holding gaming controllers, or a lack of vitamin D from spending time indoors gaming.

One way of taking care of these issues while ensuring that you're in a good condition to continue gaming is to take vitamin supplements. Also, it's important not to neglect your health if you tend to experience prolonged issues. Keeping in mind that nothing ever substitutes a fine plate of dinner or lunch, listed below are certain common problems which gamers tend to experience and suggestions of vitamins which could help to combat the issue.

Lack of sunlight

Gamers spend most of their time inside when gaming, which means there is a lack of natural sunlight reaching the body. Although sitting by a window may allow in some rays, it doesn't give the body the sunlight that it craves.

Vitamin D, otherwise known as 'the sunshine vitamin', helps to strengthen bones and muscles, allowing longevity in gaming and helping to optimise concentration levels. As an added bonus, it is also fantastic for joint pain, another common issue for gamers using handheld controllers for hours at a time.

Fatigue

Lack of sleep is a common mistreatment of the body, and whilst the determination of gamers is key for good results, staying up all night to continue gaming can lead to extreme fatigue. Sleep deprivation can lead to slower reaction times, confusion, and reduced hand-eye coordination, which is why getting the right amount of sleep is important.

Although it is easy to suggest getting more sleep, it is common for gamers to find it hard to switch off their brains and drift off to sleep, which is why taking certain vitamins and supplements can help aid this problem.

• Melatonin is produced by the body to sends signals to the brain when it's time to sleep - which is why melatonin supplements are fantastic for reducing the time it takes to fall asleep.
• Magnesium supplements are also a great way of quieting brain activity, reducing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. This can also help to reduce stress and allow the body to be fully relaxed and ready for a good night's sleep.

Joint Pain

Gamers are often using the same muscles in the same positions for hours at a time, which can cause severe joint pain due to repetitive strain. Many gamers tend to suffer from tendonitis and arthritis, which can shorten careers. Many avid gamers take vitamins and supplements to reduce the risk.

• Fish oils are a fantastic supplement as they are packed with the Omega-3 acids docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids – these are anti-inflammatories to reduce pain in joints.
• Glucosamine tablets can prevent bones from rubbing on each other which can cause pain and inflammation. It is known to also prevent cartilage breakdowns that are common with arthritis.

Vision Problems

Finally, one of the most pivotal parts of being a successful gamer is being able to visualise the game with ease and be able to face blue light for long periods of time. Eye strain is a common problem that gamers face and can be detrimental if ignored.

One of the main vitamins which will help promote healthy eyesight is Vitamin A which helps to maintain a clear cornea, allowing protection and covering of the eye.

If nothing works, go see your doctor!

Again, keep in mind that these are only suggestions and in no way should they be considered as medical advice or as a way of telling you to not go and visit you doctor when you need to. Should you come up with any of these, or other, symptoms and they won't go away, the first thing you should do is turn off your console and book a visit to your nearest doctor, as unpleasant as that sounds.

We're all looking forward to the gaming season ahead of us, but in order to ensure that we can enjoy it to the best of our capabilities, we need to take care of ourselves first and foremost. It would be a real shame if you were stuck in a hospital bed running exams while everyone else was out there enjoying the new God Of War Ragnarok game, wouldn't it?

Let's enjoy gaming safely, together!

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