Playing computer games enables players to immerse themselves in a digital world where they can embark on imaginary adventures and accomplish missions that fuel feelings of fulfillment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, video games can enhance cognitive functions through attentional control, improve hand-eye coordination, and promote social connections through interactions with other players. However, gaming — especially gaming for prolonged hours — can also cause major health concerns.
Research published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior found that playing games for excessive periods can cause physical problems, including back or neck pain, wrist pain, and eye fatigue or digital eye strain. This makes a proper gaming setup all the more crucial to help gamers play comfortably without compromising their overall health. That said, here are 4 essential items for gamers:
Blue light glasses
Computer monitors emit blue light, which has the shortest wavelength and highest energy in the visible light spectrum and can easily reach the retina and cause ocular problems like eye strain. Gamers who play extensively are at risk of incurring eye strain symptoms like dry and watery eyes, blurred vision, and headaches, which can cause great discomfort. To counterbalance these effects, blue light protection is usually recommended. Eyewear retailer Eyebuydirect offers a wide range of blue light glasses for consumers, including the Botanist and Pacific rectangle eyeglasses. These frames can be equipped with the EBDBlue Plus lenses that filter blue-violet light or the SightRelax lenses that can relieve digital eye strain, preserving visual comfort and preventing issues that stem from too much blue light exposure. This allows you to enjoy playing without compromising your vision.
Gaming chair
Comfort plays a crucial role in gaming, especially since it helps alleviate neck and back pain that could lead to serious muscle strain. Therefore, it’s important to prioritize ergonomics in your gaming setup to help you move freely while maintaining proper posture when playing. One way to do so is by choosing a chair that can provide neck and back support and is easily adjustable to help you achieve the proper height and distance from your monitor. To help you play comfortably, you can try the Vertagear Racing Series S-Line SL400 gaming chair, which has high-density foam cushioning, a huge headrest pillow for maximum comfort, and an adjustable head and armrests to help you stay in an ideal position while playing. That way, you won’t have to worry about poor posture or muscle pains during gaming sessions.
OLED monitors
You can also invest in OLED monitors to reduce potential risks of eye fatigue, especially since they emit half the amount of blue light that typical LED screens produce. Try the recently developed, first-of-its-kind Gaming OLED panel from LG Display, which allows gamers to switch between high-resolution and high refresh rate modes. The high refresh rate mode enables players to see smooth and sharper images during fast in-game screen transitions, while the high-resolution mode provides a higher video and image quality. Enhanced picture quality can help players see and play the game better without forcing their eyes to squint, which can lead to eye strain.
Artificial tears
Naturally, gaming leads to hyper-fixation on computer screens, especially during intense playing periods. This can cause you to overlook blinking, which can lead to tear evaporation and painful dry eyes. Research by the National Institutes of Health mentioned the importance of using artificial tears to moisturize your eyes and relieve visual discomfort caused by prolonged computer use. You can try the preservative-free Hylo Care eye drops, which contain hyaluronic acid and dexpanthenol to provide lubrication. Be sure to incorporate other healthy practices as well, such as taking eye breaks so your eyes can rest.
Enjoying gaming doesn’t mean forgoing your health and wellness. From using blue light glasses and artificial tears to investing in good gaming chairs and monitors, you can use these tips to play without compromising your muscle and eye health.
