Online gaming activity has been steadily increasing for several years now, a trend that was only accelerated when we were all forced indoors during the pandemic. The number of people playing games online has never been higher, with many now getting a fair chunk of their social interactions from associated online communities. All things considered, gaming, both solo and online, is one of the industries that has benefitted from people staying home more over the past two years.
The growth of online gaming is manifesting in various forms. There have been spikes in activity surrounding popular console titles like Call Of Duty, which has been steadily unveiling new content for players and making the most of the attention. There has also been an increase in popularity in poker, as big tournaments like the World Series of Poker return to action after the worst of the pandemic and players at home take interest. Regardless of the specifics, being able to play with friends around the world at any time is the biggest draw for gamers.
There are downsides to the hobby, however. Sitting for long periods of time can have a negative impact on blood flow, not to mention a whole host of other issues that can pop up. Taking breaks from sitting down, meanwhile, can dramatically help blood flow. Whether it’s to do yoga or just stand up wile screens are loading, just getting out of your seat yields huge benefits. It can also help keep your mind sharp and focused while gaming, which is useful whether you’re trying to react quickly in a first person shooter or calculate poker odds during a tense, high stakes hand of cards. If you want to game at your best, you need to take care of your circulation and do your best to stay healthy and alert.
So how specifically can you improve your blood flow during a long gaming session? We have some tips to help you.
Take Short, Frequent Breaks
Every game has pauses in it, even where live online gameplay is concerned. Taking advantage of these pauses to stand up and move around, stretch, or do yoga poses for a few minutes will keep your blood circulating and your legs healthy. Try to time it so that you spend a minute or two every hour at the very least, so that you give your circulation the occasional jolt it needs. If you start to feel pain in your legs after long periods of sitting, it might be a sign that you need to move more frequently, as blood can sit in your veins and stiffen your joints during long sedentary periods.
Drink Plenty of Water
It might seem obvious, since people are always going on about it, but most people simply aren’t drinking enough water. Even if you’re not trying to increase the amount of exercise you’re doing, keeping yourself hydrated and limiting caffeine intake will have a profound impact on your heart’s health (and your general feeling). Aim to drink at least eight full glasses of water a day and you’ll notice a real difference in how your body feels throughout the day.
Incorporate Bodyweight Exercises
During those short, frequent breaks we talked about before, try to include time to do a few bodyweight exercises as well. Knocking out 10 push-ups every hour might not sound like a lot, but over the course of a day it will result in nearly a hundred reps! Doing squats will help ensure your legs stay healthy and strong despite sitting for much of the day. Working your core with a few crunches or sit-ups will improve your posture and can help keep your midsection trim and lean. Be sure to incorporate a mixture of these exercises over the course of the week to work your whole body.
The pull to online gaming in the past two years or so is more than understandable. We’ve all needed a bit of entertainment and social time, and various types of games provide both. But given the way these activities encourage lengthy sedentary periods, it’s also important to focus on ways to stay healthy and feel good while you play. These tips will help.