Gaming: The Highs and Lows
The journey of a gamer sometimes feels like a rollercoaster ride – it’s filled with exhilarating highs and often challenging lows. And as with most things that both thrill us and frustrate us, we keep coming back for more. Can we beat out personal best? Can we get quicker? More accurate? Cleverer in our game play? There’s nothing quite like the high of the win, but the crush of defeat can be hard to stomach, and we’ve all been there!
The satisfaction we get from completing a new level, mastering a complex skill, or winning against a formidable opponent is what drives us to keep going, to push ourselves in the quest for glory (or just to beat our mates).
We can develop communities and friendships, enjoy the camaraderie among our fellow gamers, build online friendships, and discover how multiplayer games and platforms can create global connections. All of which satisfy our basic human need for connection, releasing all those feel good friendship hormones that do us the world of good.
Games can be intellectually stimulating as well as fun; they can teach problem-solving skills, strategy, and even history or science through various game plots. Lets face it, most of us learn more when we’re engaged and happy.
The rise of e-sports and streaming platforms bring us exciting opportunities and sometimes recognition within the gaming community - talented gamers are now recognised as professionals, with some achieving celebrity status and the perks that come with it.
And crucially, gaming offers a break from reality, a chance to switch off from ‘real’ life and immerse ourselves in different worlds, characters, and narratives. With the stresses and strains that come with modern life, a little escapism can be just what the doctor ordered.
But… and if we’re not careful it can be a BIG but…
Repeated gaming over time can put a physical strain on our bodies and issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, and eye strain can come from extended gaming sessions.
Gamers can sometimes be misjudged or stereotyped by society, leading us to develop feelings of isolation or even defensiveness with those who don’t understand us.
The frustrations of competitive gaming, such as losing streaks, toxic teammates, or feeling pressured to maintain a certain rank or status can lead to mental stresses. If we don’t keep these in check then sadly they can affect our relationships with friends and family, and that’s not what gaming should be about.
Let’s not forget that there can also be a financial strain to consider. The costs associated with gaming - from buying the latest equipment and games to microtransactions and subscription services can all add up.
Plus, many gamers face struggles in balancing gaming with their other life responsibilities (it might sound boring but most of us do have jobs, school, outside commitments to tend to). In the worst cases, not being able to manage our time effectively can lead to potential burnout or guilt over the responsibilities we are trying to ignore.
But of course it’s usually not all doom and gloom, far from it! There are loads of ways we can keep our gaming life healthy and ourselves in tip top mental and physical condition as we enjoy those long gaming sessions:
We need to recognise that our health has to come first. Regular breaks are hugely important, as is creating ergonomic gaming setups, and maintaining our physical health through exercises tailored to gamers (we’ll leave you to Google that!).
Plus, if you use a supplement like Fluxx you won’t get the crashes that other stimulants and gaming supplements can cause so you’ll have steady, sustained energy levels through game time. All the highs with none of the lows.
We need to set boundaries. This could be by setting ourselves time limits, scheduling gaming sessions, and ensuring that we maintain a balance between gaming and other activities.
Find support. Why not join some gaming communities, forums, or local groups where shared experiences can provide comfort and advice when we need a bit of support
Remember as well that it's okay to reach out for some professional help if gaming-related stress becomes overwhelming in any way. Gaming is a part of life for many of us, and there’s absolutely no shame in asking for help when we recognise that we need it. In fact it’s a great show of strength to be able to look after ourselves and keep ourselves healthy. Lean on others!
It’s great when we can educate and advocate for each other and the gaming world. As gamers we can help educate non-gamers about the nuances of the gaming world, breaking stereotypes and building understanding. And understanding each other is a great thing.
At Fluxx we believe that the resilience and passion of the gaming community is something to be celebrated. Yes there are challenges, but we believe that the rewards, joys, and unforgettable moments we experience make the gaming journey worth it. Just make sure you look after yourselves out there and make sure you’re investing in Fluxx powders to keep those highs! 😊