Are Video Games Harmful To Your Health?

[Bea123]

Brielle Bethune

Many people question whether video games are harmful to your health. Can gaming cause health conditions? Are they brainwashing? Is there really a thing called “video game addiction”? The answer is yes. There are many signs, symptoms and evidence that concludes to being the after effect of playing video games.

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Signs & Symptoms

-Poor eyesight

Believe it or not, you often blink a lot while playing video games. This dries out your eyes, and leaves your eyes feeling strained and sore.

-Gamer’s thumb

As most video gamers know, your muscles in your hand and fingers can get cramped easily when gaming. Whether you’re using a playstation controller or a TV screen or phone, your fingers will still get cramped. Another main nerve between your forearm and hand called the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is constantly being squeezed when gaming, which leads to swelling.

-Migraines

Staring at a screen for long periods of time is not only bad for your eyes and overall vision, but can also cause serious headaches, sore muscles and migraines. This can also be caused by dehydration, a common habit when video game addiction begins.

-Poor hygiene

Video gamers tend to have poor personal hygiene, due to video game addiction. Some(or most)gamers play for long periods of time without eating, sleeping, drinking water or showering. This, of course, leads to the lack of good personal hygiene.

-Sleep disturbances

Irregular sleep patterns and disturbances occur when the brain is constantly being turned off during the day when gaming. Signs of video game addiction is irritation or annoyance when away from the game. Sleep disturbances fit in this pattern of gaming addiction.

-Backaches/poor posture

When you're sitting for long periods of time, usually still and probably slouching, backaches are common for most gamers. Poor posture can be developed easily in these situations.

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How to Make Gaming a Healthier Habit

Give your eyes a break.
Once in awhile, glance away from your game for 10-20 seconds. This will help them from being strained and will prevent further eye damage.

Don’t sit for more than 4 hours at a time.

This prevents backaches and pain/sore muscles or cramps from playing video games too long.

Massage your fingers and hands.
This prevents backaches and pain / sore muscles or cramps from playing video games too long. Pull your shoulders back to correct your posture while gaming.

Stay fit to release cramping muscles.

Make up for loss of time, stay fit and healthy to relieve cramps and aches caused by gaming. Remember to keep up with regular eating and sleeping patterns, and stay healthy.

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Conclusion

So, overall video games are harmful to your health and not good for your mind or physical body. But if you want to continue playing video games, then use a few tips to make gaming a healthier habit. Simply remember to keep good posture, take breaks from playing, exercise, stretch or massage your muscles, and drink lots of water to prevent massive headaches!

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Sources

www.psychguides.com/guides/video-game-addiction-symptoms-causes-and-effects/

www.video-game-addiction.org/physical-consenquences

https://www.oddee.com/item_98407.aspx

www.cheatsheet.com/technology/how-to-make-playing-video-games-a-slightly-healthier-habit.html

[Anonymous]

IF you game in moderation, do daily exercises, eat well, maintain hygiene, etc. than it's not bad. Excess with this, like other things, will be bad and cause what you've listed. There are even some benefits to playing video games:

- Make new social connections
- Helps cerebral function (you can be better at decision making)
- May help slow the aging process
- Reduce stress
- Can improve eyesight

mentalfloss.com/.../15-surprising-benefits-playing-video-games

www.huffingtonpost.com/.../...or-us_n_4164723.html

[BertMacklinFBI]

nice stuff :D

[hellionthesage]

They blink less not more thus resulting in dried eyes but that is also applicable to any one who watches tv, is on their phone, or any screen in general. The rest are hyperbole, the poor hygene is completely innaccurate, playing video games does not suddenly stop you from showering or brushing your teeth, in fact the two are completely unrelated. Sure people can be addicted to video games but then they can be addicted to their phones (in fact with the commonness of cell phones their has been a significant increase in audio hallucinations (phantom ringing/vibrating)) Over all this was highly inaccurate, yes their is some merit to some of it, but they are applicable to those who work to much text to much, sleep to much, watch tv to much, write to much, type to much etc. it is not at all related to video games but the repetitive movements (in the hands) and the lack of movement in the rest of the body for long durations of time. Also their are actually many benefits to video gaming as well hence them using it in therapy (it helps reduce pain by giving the player something that requires a greater focus) and it allows for greater ability to acquire information at a glance (since their are so many things to keep track of). Over all most of this is false attribution, its not the games, its everything but.

[AleDeEurope]

This is if you are addicted to games, not just because you're a gamer you're gonna have all those problems. That's bullshit. I've been playing since I was like 7 and I'm in perfect health, and definitely have great hygiene.
Game are healthy for you if not done excessively, there's a reason it's recommended for elders to play.
Video games are awesome and do good, but just like with anything, if done excessively, it will harm you.

Most of what you said can be applied to books too, except for the thumb thing.

[Bea123]

true, true. i never said all these would happen. if you use the tips for making gaming a healthier habit, then u most likely will not have these problems.
why do u object to the gamers thumb? it can happen when your fingers are cramped and constantly being rubbed against a controller. if you are playing on a screen or other device, then all u would get is finger, hand and muscle cramps.
i have no idea why you think you can get medical conditions from reading books. yes, posture needs to be improved because of neck strain while reading but you can't get gamers thumb and poor eyesight and cramped muscles from reading..

thanks for commenting and sharing your opinion!

[AleDeEurope]

I'm not saying gamer's thumb isn't a thing, I said that all what you said can happen while reading books, EXCEPT for gamer's thumb.
You can get eyesight problems by reading, if you don't have enough light, if you have the book too close... Everything you mentioned about the posture can happen while reading books too. And about the hygiene... well, if you spend all your time reading, you can forget about your hygiene. If it happens to gamers, why not to readers?

[fondue]

I blink less when I play. Js. I blink less when I'm focused doing anything for that matter.
I play the violin and get tendonitis from that. Gonna tell me playing the violin is unhealthy?
Posture is something people can maintain when playing video games. They have chairs for that. My shitty posture comes from hours over a microscope or lab bench as well as video games lol. And the hygiene stuff? No one does that anymore. I don't think enough people actually did that for that stereotype to even be justifiable.
I just find it strange that you singled out video games as the crux of all these health problems that could easily apply to various other, socially acceptable, hobbies.

[Bea123]

because video games are more common and its good to help people be aware of these possible health conditions
thanks for ur opinion

[fondue]

Well, at least it's cute that you're trying to help.

[Mustachekitteh]

You can say these health problems happen to people who have a career in computer programming too.

I play video games and don't really have these issues. Though I don't really have a game console that uses that kind of controller.

Though sadly we get a bad rep with majority of people still. :'(

[Bea123]

true, and yes ur right i just wanted to make people aware of the possible health conditions
thanks for ur opinion :)

[Humping_Tornadoes]

These only apply if you're obese, and play video games in your parents basement while eating cheerios all day long. Video games fine in ocassion, just focus on shool/work and also go out and socialize. There are other physical hobbies you can mix up other than video games as well.

[Bea123]

yup!

[GingerBear]

Yes, excessive video game use can cause health problems, as can excessive use of anything.
You made a couple of pretty major mistakes here though... You actually blink LESS while looking at a screen, causing your eyes to dry out. The function of blinking is to moisten your eyes.
Carpal Tunnel Sydnrome is caused by the compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel structure of the hand/wrist. This is usually caused by inflammation of the transverse carpal ligament. This can be caused by any excessive use of your hands.

[ClauseViter]

You interest in other ppls health astounds me.
In your subjective reality you value health
I don't know why, but I'm sure u have reason
But you can't expect everyone sanctify the things you view as important
How can u judge another based on a value you created
There is no reason for them to care about ur values.

Not trying 2 hate. I'm just saying. There is no universal purpose 2 living. Also I have no stake in the issue cause I dun play video games. So don't think I'm defending that community.

[Bea123]

ur wondering why im concerned in everyone's health? no, its not cuz im a control freak. its cuz a healthier society is a better society and just trying to be helpful by warning others of possible health conditions. do i need a reason? trying to be helpful and write a good take.

[ClauseViter]

The improvement of a society. Think hard about this statement's implications. About what that would mean in relation to human nature. Then when you ready tell me what it means to improve a society.

[DooMguy]

All these videos are relevant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YersIyzsOpchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehgICnwmL1chttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JIqPIHKR7c

[DooMguy]

woops, I forgot this version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcFobm0Z2ug

33.media.tumblr.com/.../...02zJfR1sxcftfo1_400.gif

[LordBlakeh]

That kid needs to be sedated lol

[ConsultantIsBack]

Put away the video games kids, it only takes consistent 10-12 hours a week at the gym to get jacked, read, learn, experience the world, like sunshine and oxygen for example.

Just put away the video games

[Bea123]

thanks for reading! :D

[ConsultantIsBack]

@GirlsAskGuys

Why in gods green earth have u not made Bri an Editor yet? What the fuck..

[lolatyou]

can do all of that and still game, umadbruh?

[ConsultantIsBack]

@lolatyou sweet

[Zombie-Killa]

Every single activity you do in life can cause strain on your body and be damaging to your health.
And any activity can become addicting under the right circumstances. So everything in moderation.

[Bea123]

true, too much of anything really is bad
i am just pointing out possible health conditions

[Zombie-Killa]

And it's good you are, They can be very serious and overlooked :)

[Crazyforu]

True I do martial arts and it can strain ur body...

[dartmaul15]

talk about polarized mytake.

What about the scientifically documented benefits? Like the ability to track more objects at the same time (usually people can track around six. For gamers that number is 8, and in case higher), or the improved fight/flight reflexes? Or the enhanced speed of decission making skills (they're not more acurate, but they're faster)?

just saying

[fondue]

Video games: Helping people make bad decisions, faster.

[dartmaul15]

@fondue yeah. Leaves us with more time for other things than fixing shit.

Seriously though, my comment was just meant as a reply to a hillariously polarized mytake.

[fondue]

Oh, no, man. I wasn't serious at all. Though I'm not sure at all what you mean by the first part but alright.

[dartmaul15]

@fondue mine wasn't either. Was a joke about how if you make the decission faster you get more time to fix the fuckup you created XD

[babu_001]

Great take, but I would like to mention a few things -

1. Poor eyesight. :: It is never proved by eye experts that video games cause poor eyesight. The debate is endless and not conclusive. Myopia is a genetically transmitted disease. It can only get worse if you continue to read or focus on something for a long period of time, watch a TV/screen with FULL color settings, play games in a dark room or do a lots of reading/writing work in poor lighting environment and where sunlight barely reaches. But all of these are just tips to make a practice of and not full proof concrete theory.

2. Thumb syndrome. :: It only happens with the people who play games in consoles. PC gamers wouldn't get them.

[Maxemeister]

I don't care if it's unhealthy

s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/.../...f5ca4d5bd9.jpg

VIDEO GAMES R LEIF

[Bea123]

shuddup u dork

[Maxemeister]

SHHHHHH I HAVE TO BEAT THE ENDERDRAGON AND THE WITHER

[howzit2015]

omg, yes gaming for PROLONGED periods of time is dangerous. But life is about moderation... You can get medical problems from eat TOO much vitamin C (Something that is suppose to be healthy for you). Excess amounts of sunlight, Sodium, potassium, and etc. are all dangerous, and yet our body requires these things in order to live. Video games are not bad the amount of time one spends on them will determine whether or not they are bad.

[singlebee]

Well I don't have time to play video games but I still play them for like a half hour or one... :-) this take was for kids who have too much of time on their hands

[Bea123]

yup, very true

[Sexualchrist]

I think going to work is bad for you. It causes:
Stress
Sleep deprivation
Fatigue
Time poorness
Premature ageing
Depression
Poor eatinga and drinking habits
Constipation
Low self esteem
Death

But if you don't do it it means you have no money which causes:
Poverty
Homelessness
Social isolation
Anxiety
Malnutrition
Kleptomania
Homicidal thoughts
High chance of incarceration

So my advice is win the lottery and you will be happy

[SunsetRose]

This is a great take. It's important to get out and enjoy the nonvirtual world :)

[Bea123]

thank you! :)

[Raymond_Reddington]

some people rather spend time in virtual worlds all day, because they aren't being accepted in the real world. at least video game characterd accept them for who they are.

[chrisbigman]

Yes. In fact, I'm still struggling, but I'm not struggling as much as I used to. And I'm not struggling as much as some people do. But I still struggle.

[Bea123]

struggle? as in?

[chrisbigman]

I still play video games. I need to direct my attention to something more productive, like chores around my house that I haven't done yet.

[AhGojira]

I've been playing video games for about 33 years. Irregular sleep patterns is about the only think that has happened to me, and not because of games. First, games engage your mind. Second, if you play a lot you will likely stay up late and zonk out for the entire night rather than waking up. Games are actually suggested for people that want to become dentists and sugeons because they help develop hand eye ordination.

[AhGojira]

*coordination

[Prof_Don]

I've been playing video games since I was about 6 years old. It really is all about balancing out this fun leisure activity with the rest of your life.

The issue is... some people have an addictive personality, and have a hard time not becoming obsessed with video games (which is extremely easy to do in the modern era of online multiplayer with real people).