Growing up, it was a stereotype that gamers were Cheetos-consuming couch potatoes.
Fact One: I wasn’t a gamer back then, and I loved Cheetos more than anyone else.
Fact Two: Yes, many gamers today are still known for leaving a trail of Cheetos-dust on their controllers, BUT…
Fact Three: …not all people who play video games live sedentary lives, contrary to popular opinion.
However, gaming as a hobby comes at a price. When we get heavily invested into a campaign, we sink hours upon hours sitting, pressing buttons, and staring at a screen. While our minds are going through a roller coaster of stimulation, we at times forget to stimulate our bodies.
When Nintendo released the Wii, there was a huge emphasis of moving while gaming. Wii Sports because an incredibly popular title, and gamers of all ages are waiting eagerly to pick up Switch Sports in April 2022. Ring Fit Adventure is another innovative way to game and move.
Whether you live an active lifestyle or not, if you game, you may want to take frequent breaks and move around. It doesn’t hurt to go for a thirty-minute walk if it’s nice outside or do a few jumping jacks inside. Moving gets the blood flowing, gives your eyes a rest, and can even freshen up your mind if you happen to get stuck on a level and you’re banging your head against the wall.
Today, I enjoy playing on all three major platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X. I work in front of a computer all day, and after an hour or two of gaming, my eyes and back ache. I remedy this with a run four to five times a week and a pole fitness class on the weekends. Mixing fitness and gaming brings the best of both worlds–feeding my mind, soul, and body.
While this topic is nothing new, it serves as a reminder to always take care of yourself. Video games make a great escape from reality, and exercise can keep us well balanced and healthy (so we can keep playing the games we love).
How do you keep yourself healthy as a gamer? Share us your thoughts on our Boss Rush Facebook or Discord channel by clicking here or scanning the QR code below.
[Note: This article does not serve as medical advice. Please consult your medical provider for advice if needed.]
Image Source: istock
Reblogged this on DDOCentral.
I feel this! I work from home remotely and my job is all digital, so it’s a lot of staring at a computer screen and typing. My favorite hobby of playing video games means that I spend a ton of time staring at screens. If there was a time when I was the stereotypical “couch potato” it was pretty bad in middle school and high school since I didn’t play any sports and was in band instead. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I started engaging in exercise and other activities to offset it a bit. Now I do OrangeTheory 2-4 times a week and a trapeze/aerial conditioning class weekly and I like to think it’s helping! I still love playing video games in the evenings after work, but maybe not before some physical activity. 😉 Great post!
This is so awesome to hear! I had a similar upbringing–not being super sporty in middle/high school. Forcing my bum off the couch to move around makes sitting back down to game MORE rewarding, right?! Glad you enjoyed!