Long hours on video games? See 5 possible health damages

Video games are a great source of fun and entertainment. However, excessive use can lead to physical and mental health problems.

The debate about the harm caused by video games resurfaces from time to time. With each passing generation, the habit of playing electronic games only increases. After all, let’s be honest, these games guarantee fun, are a good source of distraction and some of them can even encourage the practice of physical activities, obviously when it comes to virtual reality that allows players to move. However, like everything in life, moderation is necessary.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP), published by the scientific journal National Library of Medicine, concluded that 28% of young Brazilians abuse video games. It is worth noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies excessive video game use as a mental disorder called Internet Gaming Disorder (TJI).

The WHO definition is not in vain, since excessive use of video games can harm your health, as experts point out. Discover the main damages to the body and well-being:

Bad posture

Dr. Guilherme Rossoni, neurosurgeon and specialist in the treatment of spinal diseases, says that the main mistake video game players make is always maintaining the same posture.

“It is essential that players, especially those who spend a lot of time playing, do physical activities to strengthen their muscles, taking breaks to stretch, move their body and correct their posture when they notice they are hunched over,” he highlights.

This is because spending a lot of time in the same position, especially in an incorrect position, with incorrect posture, can cause various problems. This is the case, for example, of disc herniation, low back pain, postural kyphosis, tension headache, lumbar hyperlordosis, scoliosis, among other problems.

Mental health

For psychologist Luciene Gomes, specialist in cognitive education, paying attention to the excessive use of video games is essential to avoid causing mental health problems. “You need to be aware of the number of hours the individual is exposed to the game,” she warns.

“I consider it a damage to mental health when a person stops carrying out their routine, such as sleeping, eating, going out with friends or skipping work to play video games. The abuse of games can generate problems related to a low frustration tolerance , anxiety attacks and problems related to lack of socialization skills”, adds the professional.

Poor eyesight

According to Marcelo Cavalcante Costa, ophthalmologist and pediatric retina specialist at Maternidade São Luiz Star, it is important to be aware of the possible risks to your vision.

“Prolonged exposure to screens can cause eye strain. It can manifest as irritation, sometimes red eyes, a feeling of dry eyes and even blurred vision, which typically appear later in the day. Additionally, excessive exposure to screens can cause what we call computer visual syndrome, which is a real concern,” warns the ophthalmologist.

According to him, it is important to understand that the eye must always be lubricated. “This lubrication occurs through the act of blinking. What usually happens is that when we spend a lot of time looking at a screen, we forget to blink, which damages the lubrication,” he says.

Another problem highlighted by the specialist is myopia. According to the doctor, several studies indicate that excessive use of electronic devices can increase the risk of developing this eye problem, especially in children.

“Take regular breaks: every 20/30 minutes, look away from the screen for a few minutes to rest. You can use a simple rule, called 20-20-20, which is the following: every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away (approximately 6 meters), for at least 20 seconds,” advises Dr. Marcelo.

Dependence

Dr. Guilherme Rossoni explains that within our brain there are three specific areas called the prefrontal cortex, frontal cortex, and insula. They are responsible for memory, emotional reactions, emotional control, decision making and judgment.

“More recent studies show that people are genetically more predisposed in these three areas of the brain. Furthermore, these individuals have a greater production of substances such as dopamine and adrenaline, substances involved in the reward mechanism,” he says.

Therefore, the increased production of dopamine, combined with an exacerbated response of euphoria compensated by the pleasure of playing, ends up increasing the chances that this individual will spend hours playing repetitively and reduces the brain centers that inhibit decision making, reveals the doctor .

“If you understand that this type of behavior has gotten out of control, the ideal is to seek help from a specialist so that you can have adequate monitoring and treatment,” he emphasizes.

Fatigue

For psychoanalyst Elizandra Souza, problems such as anxiety, depression and stress are linked to the damage that excessive use of video games can cause. “Depending on the relationship the person has with the game and with their life, the video game becomes the only tool for escape. Escape from the world and, sometimes, from oneself”, she says.

Therefore, in her opinion, video games can be both a source of stress and a cause of stress. “In the phase in which the game is a distraction, the function of releasing stress is more evident. But this same feeling of pleasure, precisely for fun, can generate a sort of initial dependence, which will then generate stress, both through addiction, or because of the problems already mentioned. Stress is an emotional and psychological tension that appears above all when a person experiences excessive situations”, he explains.

Recognize excesses

To mitigate the damage, it is essential to recognize that there are problems with this excess. “It is necessary for the person to realize that there is a problem and that there is suffering linked to this situation. This, although it is the first step, is one of the most difficult”, says Elizandra. After all, the person tends to attribute the problem to others or other things, and never to what gives him pleasure, the psychoanalyst emphasizes.

Initially, he suggests reducing the time spent in the game. “There will be no solution to gambling problems if the person continues to play the video game. Next, they need to look for other forms of entertainment and release stress. And, when necessary, seek professional help, whether for physical, psychological or financial issues”, underlines the professional.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.