Whether it’s friends and fellow players who play late into the night, the desire to get just a little bit further in a game, a sleep disorder, or something else that keeps you up, it’s not uncommon to struggle with sleep. So, how do you build and maintain a healthy sleep schedule as a gamer, and why does it matter?
Try to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time each day. It doesn’t have to be on the dot, but if you find yourself waking up at 5 AM one day and 1 PM the next, you might have trouble sleeping. Experts say that having a schedule can help you get the rest you need.
Building A Healthy Sleep Schedule As A Gamer
Here are some steps to take to build and maintain a healthy sleep schedule as a gamer:
● Put the electronics down before bed. Research shows that gaming before bed is associated with poor sleep. It’s recommended that you stop using all electronics at least 30 minutes before bed. 30 minutes to 2 hours before bed, make it a point to power down or turn off all of your electronics and replace that time with activities that support sleep.
● Try to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time each day. It doesn’t have to be on the dot, but if you find yourself waking up at 5 AM one day and 1 PM the next, you might have trouble sleeping. Experts say that having a schedule can help you get the rest you need.
● Sleep in a comfortable environment. Make sure that your room is cool, dark, clean, and free of blue light. You can also diffuse some organic lavender essential oil from Calmoura to melt away stress and put your mind at ease.
● Limit caffeine and alcohol. Studies show that caffeine and alcohol both have the potential to affect sleep negatively. Limit caffeine to early in the day, and try cutting down on or cutting out alcohol to see if it helps.
● If your thoughts are racing, take the time to wind down. Breathing exercises, meditation, and other stress-relief practices can help. If you get up in the middle of the night or struggle to fall asleep for more than 10 minutes after laying down, getting up briefly to grab a glass of water, engage in breathing exercises, meditate, or read, can aid you in winding down and falling asleep.
If your difficulties with sleep are ongoing, it’s essential to talk with your doctor to see if an underlying condition or concern is impacting your sleep.
Why Sleep Matters
Not getting enough sleep puts you at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, car accidents, and more. It can cause irritability, body aches, trouble concentrating or focusing, and trouble at work or in social relationships, too. It’s recommended that adults between the ages of 18 and 60 get 7+ hours of sleep per night. Not sleeping is not fun, and most people don’t forgo sleep by choice. That said, if you struggle with sleep, you aren’t alone, and there is hope. Forms of mental health therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), are proven by research to help those with insomnia. If you struggle with insomnia, have trouble looking away from games at night or find that you have a dependency on gaming, are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, or are going through anything else that affects your mental health, a counselor or therapist can help.
Not getting enough sleep puts you at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, car accidents, and more. It can cause irritability, body aches, trouble concentrating or focusing, and trouble at work or in social relationships, too.
How To Find A Counselor
Sometimes, knowing where to start is the most challenging part of finding a counselor or therapist. To find a mental health counselor, you can ask your doctor for a referral, contact your insurance company to see who they cover, conduct a web search for providers in your area, or sign up for a reputable online therapy platform with licensed providers like BetterHelp. All of the counselors and therapists on the BetterHelp platform are experienced professionals, and online therapy gives you the opportunity to get quality care without the commute. Regardless of how you find a counselor, you deserve to get the support you need, so don’t hesitate to take the first step today.
