A healthy gaming routine is not about playing as little as possible. Games are at their best as one good part of a full day, and these five habits help keep it that way.
Decide how long before you start
Pick a session length before you open a game, such as three rounds or twenty minutes. Setting a timer on your phone makes it easy to stick to.
Rest your eyes with the 20-20-20 rule
Every 20 minutes, look at something about 6 metres (20 feet) away for 20 seconds. The American Optometric Association recommends this rule to ease digital eye strain.
Keep games out of bedtime
Bright screens and exciting games make it harder to fall asleep. The Sleep Foundation suggests keeping the last hour before bed free of screens, so aim to finish your final session by then.
Play with other people
Compare scores with friends, or take turns on a puzzle. Games you share with others tend to stay a positive part of your routine.
Notice how you feel
If you finish a session feeling tired or frustrated rather than refreshed, that is a sign to change something. The World Health Organization describes gaming disorder as gaming that takes priority over other interests and daily activities and continues despite negative consequences. If that sounds familiar, talk to a health professional. Our responsible play page has more ideas.
Sources
- Computer vision syndrome, American Optometric Association
- How does blue light from electronic devices affect sleep?, Sleep Foundation
- Gaming disorder, World Health Organization