Really love this piece. I have been a lifelong gamer but only became passionate about health and wellness after the start of the pandemic. I’ve lost over 70lbs. It’s definitely a winding road and not a flat one. Thanks for such a great piece that really combats some of the stereotypes about gamers.
Thank you for the kind words! And for sharing your journey, that is a huge achievement!
I really want to help people break down barriers and motivate people to care about their health and wellness, and that it doesn’t have to be weight or physique related, just because it helps us feel good!
And for a while (as a coach) I was worried to share that I was a gamer because of the stereotypes that come with it and coming across as ‘less professional’, I now embrace it and promote that people should be gaming (alongside training and caring about their health!)
I'm so STOKED I found another person writing about gaming and health and science!
Gaming as a part of a healthy lifestyle is, like with many things, all about balance. I just wrote about a big research study (ABCD Study) that made some connections between gaming and mental health. I don't necessarily agree with their conclusions but I do worry that the headlines from these types of studies will get twisted in the media.
It's unfortunate that gamers are still fighting the stereotypes -- I feel the effects of those stereotypes still.
Thank you for sharing that study, will definitely check it out!
My vision shall we say is to encourage people to figure out what a healthy lifestyle means for them - this means I want people to exercise and eat nutritious food and sleep well, but also find things that bring them joy and help them relax!
I think gaming is a fantastic outlet, for creative and cognitive reasons but also as a mental health help too. I made a post on Instagram about how I’m going through the most stressful period of my life and I’m not sure how I would relax and quieten my thoughts without gaming!
And you are right about stereotypes - I’m a coach and it’s only say 3 months ago I started putting out gaming content due to the stereotypes that come with being a gamer!
I think there's still a stigma with video games within the culture because certain demographics (mostly young men) can get lost for hours and hours, to the detriment of their own lives.
However! Gaming in smaller doses - 1-2 hours at a time, tops - is arguably more enjoyable and even better for you than just zoning out and watching TV.
Really love this piece. I have been a lifelong gamer but only became passionate about health and wellness after the start of the pandemic. I’ve lost over 70lbs. It’s definitely a winding road and not a flat one. Thanks for such a great piece that really combats some of the stereotypes about gamers.
Thank you for the kind words! And for sharing your journey, that is a huge achievement!
I really want to help people break down barriers and motivate people to care about their health and wellness, and that it doesn’t have to be weight or physique related, just because it helps us feel good!
And for a while (as a coach) I was worried to share that I was a gamer because of the stereotypes that come with it and coming across as ‘less professional’, I now embrace it and promote that people should be gaming (alongside training and caring about their health!)
I'm so STOKED I found another person writing about gaming and health and science!
Gaming as a part of a healthy lifestyle is, like with many things, all about balance. I just wrote about a big research study (ABCD Study) that made some connections between gaming and mental health. I don't necessarily agree with their conclusions but I do worry that the headlines from these types of studies will get twisted in the media.
It's unfortunate that gamers are still fighting the stereotypes -- I feel the effects of those stereotypes still.
Thank you for sharing that study, will definitely check it out!
My vision shall we say is to encourage people to figure out what a healthy lifestyle means for them - this means I want people to exercise and eat nutritious food and sleep well, but also find things that bring them joy and help them relax!
I think gaming is a fantastic outlet, for creative and cognitive reasons but also as a mental health help too. I made a post on Instagram about how I’m going through the most stressful period of my life and I’m not sure how I would relax and quieten my thoughts without gaming!
And you are right about stereotypes - I’m a coach and it’s only say 3 months ago I started putting out gaming content due to the stereotypes that come with being a gamer!
I think there's still a stigma with video games within the culture because certain demographics (mostly young men) can get lost for hours and hours, to the detriment of their own lives.
However! Gaming in smaller doses - 1-2 hours at a time, tops - is arguably more enjoyable and even better for you than just zoning out and watching TV.
You are 100% right!
Like I used to love my long gaming sessions, but now I need just enough time to get into a game without being sat there for too long!
That doesn’t mean sometimes I won’t get lost in a game or have multiple sessions when I can, just that I know what works best for me now!