Burnout isn’t just a concern for employees in the workplace—it’s a prevalent issue among gamers, too.
While gaming is undoubtedly enjoyable, it’s crucial to strike a balance and prevent it from dominating your life to the extent that it causes mental and physical repercussions.
But how can you avoid gaming burnout?
Marin Cristian-Ovidiu from Online Games.io gives you his expert tips on fighting gaming fatigue.
Limit Non-Gaming Screen Time
If gaming is your priority, limiting the time you spend online doing other activities, such as social media, is best.
Transitioning directly from intense gaming sessions to mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or Tiktok can exacerbate feelings of fatigue and mental exhaustion
‘Going from screen to screen makes us gamers feel more drained and limits our attention span in the long run,’ Marin points out.
Additionally, one of the physical consequences of gaming is eye strain. Eye strain could lead to headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and eye issues, which maximize the physical lows of burnout. Give your eyes a break by not looking at screens when you don’t need to.
Set Time Limits, And Stick To Them
Implementing time limits for gaming sessions is essential for maintaining a healthy balance and preventing burnout. You can ease into limits by finding out how much you game each day and cutting it a little every time.
However, an abrupt interruption, like an alarm telling you your time limit is up, can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
To avoid this, consider setting alarms at intervals throughout your gaming session to provide gentle reminders of the passage of time.
Marin suggests a strategic approach, such as setting alarms for one hour, 30 minutes, and 10 minutes before your intended end time. ‘This allows you to gradually transition out of the gaming mindset, and gives you enough time to wind down,’ he says. ‘Alternatively, put a clock within your eye line in your gaming setup, since that way there’s no losing track of time.’
Take Breaks To Move
The best games are designed to keep you hooked, so it’s natural to have days where you feel you can’t do anything else. But sitting in a chair for hours on end isn’t going to help your feelings of fatigue. In fact, it could lead to serious physical consequences.
Physical inactivity due to gaming has been shown to increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and a loss of fine motor skills. So when you do take a break, use it to be active.
‘Exercise during breaks doesn’t have to be super strenuous,’ Marin notes. ‘Simply going for a walk in your neighborhood gets your blood pumping and gives you a natural energy boost.’
Chose Better Snacks
It’s easy to reach for a bag of chips or a sugary energy drink when you feel like you need a boost to keep gaming, but these choices will hurt your body.
‘Remember that eating healthy is a form of self-care,’ says Marin. ‘Put healthier snacks right in front of you at your gaming station before you begin, then you won’t have to think about it later.’
Here are some simple but healthy snacks to consider:
- Veggie sticks with a healthy dip like guacamole or hummus
- Trail mix with plenty of nuts
- Fresh fruits that are easy to eat, like berries or grapes
- Yogurt with granola
- A smoothie with protein powder and B12 (in place of an energy drink)
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