Computer Gaming and Health

[Ronso]

Just an interesting thought I had and wanted to see if I was the only one Started playing computer games a few years ago ..just before Half Life 1 was released.. so Ive been staring at a monitor at close range for a long time hehe . Im not a large or fat guy ...got a small beer belly from drinking though hehe .

However..when I play daoc on my day off or whatever..depending on whether or not I have other plans .. I could start gaming in the morning and not finish till late in the evening if the rps are good or there is a raid on etc and ofc this cant be good for my health .. While playing its all junk food and fast food ..whatever is closest at hand really and again this cant be good .

When I wake in the mornings after playing games ..I have dark rings under my eyes from staring at monitors for too long and even though Im quite active ( ie .. I run the beach ..I play a lot of basketball .. etc ) ..I feel tired and worn after playing games and the more I play ..the longer the rings stay under my eyes and the harder it is to make them go .

Might seem like a very stupid question to some ..and to others ..maybe a question they should have asked before but .. any tips on health while playing constant gaming ? Before anyone says ..how about dont play .. thats not really an option as gaming can be quite relaxing after a long day of work or other troubles you might have .

Is there anyone who leads a life with strong association to fitness ? Ie they are a diet instructor etc or they have a good knowledge of these kind of things because Im basically trying to stay playing without feeling too tired and burned out .

Just looking for small tips on how to stay healthy even while spending quite a few hours on front of a screen .. does anyone have any ? Again .some people might laugh at a post like this ..but for other people this could be a big worry to them ...especially if they dont excercise and are on a bad diet etc ..

Im the guy in the grey top at the back in the pic below so I aint too big so its not a size issue ..just a general health issue .. tired under the eyes ..does it effect your eye sight etc ..small things like that ..

Discuss ?

 

[crispy]

I feel my internal organs are quite stressed from doing nothing than drinking beer and playing computer

It is possible to get some fast and easy excersice tho - swimming! Very intense exercise actually so you wont have to do it more than.. 30 mins a day or every 2nd day

 

[Straef]

I suppose the best thing would be to moderate your play times, i.e. not playing for more than, say, 5 hours straight, tho that'll be hard when you're on a large raid or having a proper group in rvr. Another think would be to take a look at somewhat healthier snacks, so you won't have to bother cooking while playing, but won't just be eating crisps or whatever That's something I tend to do myself; eat things that aren't particulary bad for you, yet tasty and not requiring hours of cooking :d
I usually make some instant soup along with some bread with marmite, which might not be particulary healthy, but it won't hurt either, and it only takes a minute, so there's an example
I've also heard about some excercises which you could do every other hour or so, to prevent getting wrist or back issues, and I'm sure there are similar things to prevent harm to your eyes, but it all sounded fairly ridiculous to me, tho some may be interested.

 

[TriggerHappy]

walk home from clan every nite that keeps me fitter than a fiddle on speed

 

[Raven]

i am always taking breaks while i am playing, be it to watch some TV, doing the washing up, cooking dinner etc. i may be logged in for up to 5 hours a night but i probably only play for 2 hours or so. overall health isnt to bad, i smoke and i drink, i eat mostly fresh home cooked food, probably only having a take away once a month (if that) games dont have to make you unhealthy, its just some people let it.

 

[Bugz]

Best thing I found to get rid of the rings under eyes is not to turn daoc off and go straight to bed. turn daoc off, have a 30 minute break before you go to bed.

 

[Vladamir]

Long gaming can still be 'healthy' in the sense it's not detrimental to your health

Eat plenty of fruit/veg, drink lots of water. Take regular breaks where possible, 10/15 minutes every hour will do your eyes a world of good. And get exercise

 

[gohan]

stop masterbating an ur eyes will be fine :<

 

[Bugz]

stop masterbating an ur eyes will be fine :<

True.

Screwing your eyes up to find it must be annoying.

 

[TriggerHappy]

True.

Screwing your eyes up to find it must be annoying.

LOLZ and one rep point for u

 

[etali]

Try drinking fruit juice instead of soda, and snacking on something more neutral too. You don't have to turn into a health food junkie, but at least you won't be poisoning yourself

Fidget too - then call it exercise :-p

 

[Ronso]

But the cafe has so many SWEETIES !!

 

[Zil]

Try drinking fruit juice instead of soda, and snacking on something more neutral too. You don't have to turn into a health food junkie, but at least you won't be poisoning yourself

Fidget too - then call it exercise :-p

lots of fruit juice is nearly just as bad as soda, so might just wanna stick to water

but as been suggested, 10-15 min break every 1 hour, take a piss, go stand for a few min outside, dosnt really matter but its a very good thing and ofc 30 min each day with activity.

 

[Sharaft]

Cant....stop...playing...gah...please..help!

 

[Commandment]

such loser talk!

The rings under my eyes are now a part of me, its a fashion asscessory! it will be teh "in" soon! also another thing

when i play lets say all night, my pupils (sp) get really small , and my eyes go very bloodshot and i turn slightly hysterical (sp again). I would find it worrying but its too damn funny :> :touch: And i lose a bit of my balance and all sounds seem to be a bit farther away than they really are.

just like im feeling now :x Games Are Bad! Fact!

 

[Tallen]

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg90.pdf

 

[xGenocidex]

Got a monsterous head ache at present from playing games for 7 hours straight and its areally bad one aswell... been like this since 4-5am and still going just as strong

 

[prodical]

so you feeling the pressure or urge too get fit again mate?


well i can say from my own experience that when i did live in the west i played far too much computers. mainly daoc. since i have moved things have improved alot.

what i would suggest is that you set up a routine. i now find myself logging on alot after 6pm in the evenings now. commit yourself too going too the gym or for a run or whatever physical exercise you prefer BEFORE you sit down at the pc. why? as once you sit down you dont want too move off your ass incase you miss something.

I did notice that overall it dosent make that much of a difference if you log on after a certain time. i myself find that when i log into game now daoc in particular there is always something or someone who is willing too do things. if your worried about missing a set grp or making a few extra rps well then there is something wrong. now i dont say i wasnt like this always. im just speaking from experience. the game isnt everything. altho im like you and i like too relax while playing, there is nothing better then exercise before you sit down , then you can fell content when you sit down and not worry for exercise.

as for the baggy eyes...well do what i now do...when you get tired log off. someone will always rep you in a grp. being tired and continue playing isnt always the best option. and if people demand you stay tell em too fuck off tbh. at the end of the day you pay your subs and if work suffers cause of game...then priorites are in the wrong order.

i lost 1 and a half stone in the last 2months from going too the gym 4 times a week after work and getting up for training at 6am 4 times a week. so you see where i come from i hope.

will see you at the weekend by the way for some shots

 

[Commandment]

jesus christ mark you were skinny enough :touch:

lay of the coke :< xD

 

[Ronso]

Cya soon m8 ;D

 

[Hawkwind]

One solution for you, bit drastic but should work. Get a wife!

99% Guaranteed it will nag you to death if you play longer than 2 hours.

 

[Stallion]

Find something you like and find fun.

I like biking.. I do it to work and on my free time, my condition is great, body gets fit and its fun..

 

[Ronso]

Find something you like and find fun.

I like biking.. I do it to work and on my free time, my condition is great, body gets fit and its fun..

Its so easier said than done ! And youre living in Italy or Spain or something ! Im living in bloody Ireland where it rains for the summer and indoors is a safe haven

 

[Agrigo]

when i play lets say all night, my pupils (sp) get really small , and my eyes go very bloodshot and i turn slightly hysterical (sp again). I would find it worrying but its too damn funny :> :touch: And i lose a bit of my balance and all sounds seem to be a bit farther away than they really are.

just like im feeling now :x Games Are Bad! Fact!

That would be the E meight , not the games !

 

[Graendel]

Its so easier said than done ! And youre living in Italy or Spain or something ! Im living in bloody Ireland where it rains for the summer and indoors is a safe haven

Staj lives in Stockholm like me.

And it's murder to go out walking with all the Tour de France lovers trying to run over you - hence why I stay indoors and play DAoC instead!

 

[leviathane]

lately my healthy lifestyle kinda taken a bit of a backseat, i blame graendel for making templating my char alot quicker The booze, late nites playing daoc, lack of exercise (sometimes sun ) and snack food taking a bit of a toll on my body tbh i look like a zombie from shaun of the dead or something xD

 

[Chosen]

CBA to read all the answers! But imo, the only thing that works! Is if you eat some healthy food and drink water. You're body wont be worn out that fast. Skip the Cola and junk food!

Just remember to buy more vegetables and fruit!

Edit: Oh and don't forget to strecht some like every half an hour!

 

[Commandment]

That would be the E meight , not the games !

pupils get bigger when on that fyi to let in more light because everything your looking at seems far more beautiful

 

[prodical]

pupils get bigger when on that fyi to let in more light because everything your looking at seems far more beautiful

he has expierence it would seem. talk too lav he has a vast knowledge of information with regards banned substances lol <3

 

[Smellysox]

This is a deffo future problem you have stated remember your not alone ! alot of ppl feel like you <some even suicidal or worse > ! i would suggest this to you , plan your day start with something good to eat then try work out or cycle , swim anything even cycle to work and home ! trust me after you finish you will think it feels good not to be staring into that pc screen! late at night if you want pc then do it switch it on but only < this is the best bit> ONLY if youve worked hard for it ! trust me it works stick to it and give yourself daily goals and rewards for working hard to achieve goodness , hope it works for you and the very best of luck to you my friend !! .