Healthy Gaming Accessories

Gamers often get a bum rap — we’ve all seen the stereotypes of the pasty, overweight, and covered in nacho crumbs nerd who lives in a dank basement — but that’s not a fair reflection of reality at all. In fact, scientists found pretty much no relationship between being a gamer and being fat — it’s just simply not true. Many gamers actually care about their health — they try to observe a balanced diet, exercise, and not overdo it too often in the virtual world.

We’re all well aware that it pays to be healthy, and there are always new ways coming out to help mitigate the sedentary effects of gaming. Today we’re going to take a look at some accessories and equipment that’ll do just that.

Let’s make this logical and go from top to bottom.

Monitor

The first area we’re focusing on is your head. Now, it must be said that monitors nowadays are better for our vision than the ones many of us old hands grew up with — the dreaded CRT behemoths of yesteryear. Not only did those screens take up a humungous amount of space in our living rooms and on our desks, but they also gave off small amounts of radiation and generally had refresh rates we now wouldn’t touch with a bargepole.

Despite the improvements made in technology, digital eye strain is very much a real thing for a lot of people, and there are various characteristics to look for in a monitor that can reduce it. The first thing to look for is a blue light filter. Blue light has been talked about for a few years now and has been proven to negatively impact your sleep, so it’s best to limit your exposure to it as much as you can. Monitors such as the Asus VZ279H have a built-in blue light filter, certified by the independent global safety expert TÜV Rheinland laboratories.

Another feature to consider is a curved screen. Studies have shown that people who use curved monitors have comparatively less eye-strain and blurred vision than those who use a flatscreen equivalent. The theory is that the curved screen provides a more immersive experience and allows you to take in the entire screen more comfortably than with a flatscreen. A solid choice on the market right now is the 35-inch BenQ EX3501.

Desk

You might think that a desk is just a few pieces of wood and metal for your computer to sit on, but it can actually do more for you than just that. If you go for a height-adjustable desk, you can make your gaming sessions a little healthier by changing things up and taking a stand from time-to-time.

As detailed in one of our recent blogs, standing while gaming is nothing new — it’s been going on since the arcade boom in the 70s — and it does help to mitigate the sedentariness of gaming. By getting on your feet for a spell, you’re engaging your leg muscles and encouraging your blood circulation. People who try it often find that it’s an energizing experience, and some find that standing while gaming helps you feel more immersed in the game and more alert. If it can give you an edge in a reaction-time based FPS, it’s worth a shot.

If you’re US based, you can bag yourself a free thirty-day trial for one of our SmartDesks. All are based on a dual-motor frame which is controlled via a keypad. All you need to do is press a button and you can raise or lower it to your favored standing or sitting height, or you can program up to 4 different presets.

Chair

Getting your stand on from time to time is a great idea, but let’s be real — you’re going to be doing the majority of your gaming while sitting down. As this is the case, you’ll need a chair that is supportive, comfortable, and can easily adjust to different positions. These factors will help look after your spine, muscles, and posture, so are clearly important. One of the keywords we’re looking at here is ergonomic.

If you fire in ‘gaming chair’ into Google, you’ll more than likely be presented with chairs that are designed to look like racing seats. Often, this bucket seat design will be a little too constricting in terms of your movement and some also have an elevated or sloped front, causing your legs to dangle. As we’ve mentioned in our blog pieces, your feet should be flat on the floor, and your chair should provide support as you move. These chairs are often style-over-substance and don’t offer ergonomic value for money.

So what should you go for? First up, it’s best to choose a chair that has dedicated lumbar support, as that will help to look after your lower back. Next, you need one that has a high degree of adjustability — the height, depth, reclining tension/position, and armrests should all be adjustable, so you can set up your chair exactly how you like it. It’s also a good idea to choose a gaming chair that is made from a breathable material, rather than fake or real leather, as you’ll not get so hot and sweaty while playing. All of our chairs fulfill these needs, from the flagship Kinn to the super-affordable Myo.

Anti-Fatigue Mat

Now onto something a little outside of the usual. We’ve talked a lot about the benefits of standing and how you can incorporate standing into your gaming, but there’s also a way to maximize your gains from those sessions. The way anti-fatigue mats work is that they are softer and have a higher degree of elasticity than say, your floor. This has two positive effects. Firstly, the increased amount of cushioning provides more support for your lower limbs and puts less strain on them — compare lying on a wooden floor to a mattress, for example. Secondly, they encourage micro-movements of the calf and leg muscles, which leads to better overall blood circulation.

Our anti-fatigue mat also features a gentle 2-inch incline, which serves to massage your instep as you stand, as well as engage your leg muscles slightly more. All in all, it makes standing more comfortable and easier, basically giving you double XP for your effort.

Flow Board

Our next item is also a little off-the-wall but can provide you with a versatile range of uses. A Flow Board is essentially a balance board, and like the anti-fatigue mat, it is all about getting energized through micro-movements. The versatility I mentioned comes from the fact that you can use a Flow Board while standing, sitting, or even for a quick bit of exercise in between gaming sessions.
When you’re sitting, the point of the board is to function as a footrest. The fact that it’s inclined means that you’ll gently stretch your calf muscles while using it, which actually serves to reduce the chance of blood clots and deep-vein thrombosis — all while improving your posture. If you’re using it for standing, you can take advantage of its multi-directionality and gently move around on it — it’ll strengthen your ankles and keep the blood flowing throughout the lower half of your body. Finally, if you’re taking a break from your PC or console, you can use it as a quick and convenient work-out buddy — it’s easy to do balance-squats, push-ups, and a whole load of other exercises before you get back to the battlefield.