Finding a balance between the world of online gaming and your real life can be difficult, but it is an important skill to learn.
We all enjoy a good session of Slotozen Casino late at night, trying to complete a level or move up the ranks, enjoying Slotozen no deposit bonus. But if you start to neglect other aspects of life to play more or find it difficult to spend time on the more ‘boring’ things, such as housework and cleaning, it’s not a good sign. Ignoring your body and your mental health is never a good solution.
But no one is saying that you can’t combine gaming with healthier habits. So let’s look at four of the best ways to find a good balance between gaming and life.
Create a gaming routine
You can manage your gaming time better by creating a routine. Choose fixed days and times to play and try to stick to these schedules as much as you can. This regime will not only help you set aside time to play, but also prevent it from taking over your life. Always practice moderation.
Set time limits
You can completely lose yourself in a game, don’t worry… everyone has been there.
To better control the time you spend on a game, you should be more aware of how long some games can last, by researching or writing it down on your desktop or laptop. Use your phone to set a timer if you find it difficult to play beyond the time limit you (or your parents) have set.
Or when you need to focus on other things (like work, exam revision or housework), choose games that you can easily pause. While we know that some games can’t be paused (games like Valorant, Apex Legends and Rocket League), there are others that you can pick up, play and put down whenever you feel like it.
Improve your sleep and eating habits
A healthy lifestyle will improve your game by increasing your attention and concentration. You can achieve this in two ways: by eating healthily and getting enough sleep every night. Don’t let your snacking habits be the cause of an untimely death during a boss fight. Make sure you are well fed, hydrated and rested before playing.
You don’t need to follow a pre-game meal plan, but make sure your meals are balanced. Start with a source of lean protein, such as fish or chicken, and add vegetables and carbohydrates. Don’t forget to drink water; try to consume at least eight glasses a day.
Maintain good hygiene to stay healthy
Nobody wants to smell like they’ve been rotting in their room all day. Take the time to shower, brush your teeth and wash your face before participating in multiplayer games, instead of spending too much time inside the game. You’ll feel fresher during the gaming session and it will help improve your hygiene in general.
And not only that, it will also help you increase your internet speed. If you experience lag while playing online, it could be due to the amount of clutter on your computer or network device. So, if you haven’t already, take the time to clean up your PC and remove all unnecessary programs.
Extra tip: avoid the extra stuff.
It can be difficult to set aside an entire genre like RPGs just because they require large amounts of time to complete. If you’d rather find a way to avoid that tough decision, skipping side quests and hidden objects can be a good idea, especially if you intend to finish one of these games.
Deny your inner completionist the satisfaction of turning over every stone. Spending less time exploring the nooks and crannies of the map (or, better still, giving up the tedious management of inventory and characters) means more time to play.
Sometimes trophies and achievements can also get in the way of finishing games. Some are specifically designed to hinder gameplay or prevent you from completing it in a natural way.
You need a plan when you have a million goals, one of which is to maintain a good balance between life and play. Analyse your goals (work, friendships and sport) and calculate how much time you need to dedicate to each one, and then plan it all. That way you’ll know what to do and when, you won’t overdo it to the detriment of everything else and you won’t feel so bad when you sit down to play.
Prioritize Your Social Life
Gaming is fun and can be really exciting, but it’s also important to remember that it’s good to see your friends and family too. Having a healthy social life means you can balance the time spent gaming and recharge your emotions and mind. If you spend too much time gaming, you might start to feel lonely. This is especially true if gaming is your main focus and you don’t have much time for other activities.
So, make sure you have time to see your friends and family, and do things outside of gaming like going for walks or having family meals. These activities give you a chance to reconnect with others, share experiences and get fresh perspectives on life. You might even find that gaming with others, whether in person or online, strengthens your bonds and helps you feel more connected to your community.
Remember that the best social experiences are often in real life, not in gaming. You can have a better connection with people when you meet them in real life. So, while online gaming communities and multiplayer games can help you bond with others, don’t let virtual interactions replace the valuable time you could be spending with loved ones face-to-face. Try to find a balance between spending time with people in real life and online.
Learn to Take Breaks
When you play computer games online, it can be easy to play for a long time without stopping. But this can be bad for your physical and mental health. Sitting for long periods, staring at a screen and focusing intently on the game can strain your eyes, affect your posture and lead to mental fatigue. This can lead to burnout, where you feel tired and unmotivated.
So, it’s really important to take regular breaks while gaming. Take a break every 30 to 60 minutes to give your eyes a rest, improve your posture and refresh your mind. Use these breaks to stretch your legs, have a drink, or just walk away from the screen for a few minutes. This helps your brain process the game in a healthier way, and you will be more focused and ready to play again.
Also, breaks let you think about other things in your life. For example, you could use them to deal with tasks or responsibilities that are piling up, such as work or study. It’s also a good time to check on any personal goals you may have, whether they are related to fitness, family or even personal care. Taking short breaks means that gaming doesn’t take over your day and reminds you to balance other parts of your life.
Finally, you can use these breaks to think about the gaming experience itself. Sometimes, if you stop playing for a while, you can see more clearly what is happening in the game and whether it is making you happy or stressed. This can help you work out when gaming is becoming too much for you and whether you need to change how you play. If you take regular breaks and set boundaries for your gaming sessions, you won’t feel overwhelmed or disconnected from the real world.
