The rise in popularity of video games over the past few decades has encouraged a sedentary lifestyle, which, linked to nocturnal gaming periods can result in a lack of sleep. There is no doubt, that excessive gaming can lead to sleep deprivation. However, many debate that gaming has its benefits and can lead to a better sleep cycle. However, to find the answers, we will have to dig deep and explore this topic more thoroughly.
Key Takeaways
- Excessive gaming can lead to sleep deprivation, which can have negative impacts on cognitive functioning, performance, and health.
- While some argue that gaming can help relax and prepare for sleep, many studies indicate that gaming has little to no direct effect on sleep. However, gaming at night can be detrimental to sleep patterns, especially if done for long durations or in front of screens that produce blue wavelength light.
- Professional esports teams often prioritize sleep to improve performance, and gamers can take steps such as exercising, using eye care technology, and establishing strict sleep schedules to improve their sleep habits.
All Play And No Sleep
Easy access to the internet and gaming equipment has lured people from all over the world into playing video games. Due to this, competition in online gaming has increased tremendously. A lot of young athletes have this goal of becoming professional e-sports players and so, this has led to players training for long hours to improve and get better every day. As a result, sleep is often overlooked. This, coupled with hours of constant training often leads to exhaustion and burnout.
The influx of gamers has also encouraged the growth of e-sport tournaments. These often have packed schedules with varying match timings, often with very less time in between. Training sessions along with long durations of tense, brain-draining matches in these tight circumstances leave very little time for resting. This frequent deviation from normal routine comes with its consequences.
According to medical experts, sitting in front of screens that produce intense blue wavelength light can result in insomnia. This automatically puts the gamer at a disadvantage as someone who is sleep deprived is less focused than someone who is well-rested. Even at the professional level, a lot of teams rarely pay attention to players’ health which can be affected by a lack of sleep. It also results in delayed reaction times which ultimately leads to deteriorating performances.
One of the many qualities of video games is that they are highly addictive. These can be played while sitting or from the comfort of your bed. It can easily lead to players gaming for hours often neglecting their regular sleep timings. As a large number of players are mostly students, gaming late at night for long durations and going to school early leaves almost no room for a good night’s sleep.
Is Gaming Really The Issue?
Contrary to the factors mentioned above, many studies indicate that gaming often has very little to no direct effect on one’s sleep. Many argue that playing games lead to relaxation which for some, can help in sleeping peacefully. In addition, gaming at night is not mandatory and so many top professional teams train their players in the morning and have a very strict sleep schedule. Cloud 9, a reputable esports organization is a prime example of this. They are determined to send their players to bed on time so much so that they even turn off their Wi-Fi by 9’o clock. They know that to stay at the top, the highest level of cognitive functioning is very important which can not be achieved by bad sleep.
Gaming at night can help a lot of people who play casually. This is because after a busy day if you play video games with little to think about, your brain is so under-stimulated that it automatically prepares itself for sleep. Furthermore, buying a monitor or a TV with built-in eye care technology or exercising regularly are steps one can take to ensure that his sleep pattern is not disrupted.
FAQ
How does gaming affect sleep?
Excessive gaming can lead to sleep deprivation, especially at night or for long durations. In addition, screens that produce intense blue wavelength light can also result in insomnia.
Can gaming help with sleep?
While some argue that gaming can help relax and prepare for sleep, studies suggest gaming has little to no direct effect on rest. However, casual gaming after a busy day can help under-stimulate the brain and prepare it for sleep.
How does sleep deprivation affect gaming performance?
Sleep deprivation can result in delayed reaction times, poor cognitive functioning, and deteriorating performance. Even professional esports teams prioritize sleep to improve performance.
What can gamers do to improve their sleep habits?
Gamers can exercise, use eye care technology, establish strict sleep schedules, and avoid screens before bedtime to improve their sleep habits. Professional esports teams often have strict sleep schedules for their players.
Is it safe to play video games before bedtime?
Playing video games before bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns, especially for long durations or in front of screens that produce blue wavelength light. It’s better to avoid screens before bedtime and engage in relaxing activities instead.
