Sleep tips for gamers

GAME. SLEEP. REPEAT. In Germany alone, over 34 million people regularly play video games. Every 6th Gamers then go to sleep later than planned - sleep is important for our physical and mental performance and therefore crucial for gaming performance.

Table of Contents

1. Positive effects of gaming
   
2. Gaming & Sleep
3. The Gamer Sleep Guide

1. Positive effects of gaming

Gaming and eSports have long been part of our everyday lives and are now much more than a simple leisure activity. Numerous studies have already shown that playing video games regularly can have a positive effect on the body and mind. Among other things, the

is proven

› Improvement of cognitive and motor skills

Researchers at the University of Iowa tested the effects of a game focused on speed and strategic decision-making on people over 50. The surprising result: just 2 hours of play a day can improve cognitive abilities by up to 70% in the long term and slow down age-related deterioration. Another study also showed that playing video games in children could improve the so-called hand-eye coordination and promote the ability to react.

› Improvement of visual perception

As early as 2007, a study by scientists at a New York University showed that just 30 hours of playing a first-person shooter led to a significant improved spatial perception . The test subjects were able to clearly see small objects placed close together. According to a study, gamers can perceive subtle contrast differences more than 50 percent better than their non-gaming counterparts.

› Increased sensitivity

Researchers at the University of Rochester found that gamers develop an increased sensitivity to the events around them. This is noticeable in a wide variety of everyday things, for example when driving a car or orienting yourself in unfamiliar areas.

As we can see, there seem to be some positive effects of gaming on various skills, brain function and brain structure. But: This only happens if we don't overdo it and can "switch off" - this is exactly where sleep comes into play! The brain needs breaks to recover and improve, and the most effective break for us humans is and remains sleep. Getting enough sleep is therefore an important factor for performance in gaming.

2. Gaming & Sleep

A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that gamers are more likely to forego sleep than continue playing. Computer gamers sleep less compared to other people of the same age. Studies have shown that the average sleep time decreases by 15 minutes when playing after 8 p.m. Especially those who play games that are too exciting and have a high thrill factor have increased activation of the nervous system (arousal) and can therefore have problems falling asleep.

So why should you, as a gamer, pay attention to healthy sleeping habits?

Fact #1: Our brain recovers and improves, especially when we sleep.

Especially during deep sleep, the brain processes new impressions and anchors structures and processes learned during the day in memory - you can find out exactly how here. Intensive training to improve gaming skills is only successful if sleep is also taken into account.

Fact #2: Our sleep is the central recovery period for our body.

During sleep, the energy stores in the brain and muscles are filled up, the immune system is strengthened and body cells are built up. Skin regeneration and metabolism regulation also take place. In short: your body recovers and collects new energy for the next day. If we don't sleep enough, our metabolism and the appearance of our skin change, our concentration and ability to learn decrease, and our immune system is weakened. This affects both physical and mental performance - exactly the characteristics that play a crucial role in gaming!

3. Sleep tips for gamers: The Gamer Sleep Guide

Regardless of whether you are a professional athlete or a hobby gamer - we have recorded the most important tips for improving your sleep behavior in our Gamer Sleep Guide. Download now

The Gamer Sleep Guide at a glance:

• Sleep routine
  Pay attention to a healthy sleep-wake rhythm; it is best to stick to regular bedtimes.
• Sleeping environment
  Important: The bed is only there for sleeping. The bedroom itself should also be quiet and dark and have a cool temperature of around 18 ° C.
• Shut down
  The body and mind also need to shut down and rest. Excitement and stress in the evening make it difficult to fall asleep, so take a break and relax between playing and going to bed.
• Diet
  Excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol and heavy meals in the evening should be avoided so that the nervous system and digestion are not overly stimulated and have a negative impact on sleep

On that note: Good luck and have fun, but don't forget to sleep ;)