Lift and Game: Get the Competitive Edge Over Your Rivals!
You wouldn’t know by looking at me, but I consider myself a “closet nerd”. To most I probably look like a typical gym bro, but rather than watching sports or keeping up with the latest TV series, I prefer to game.
It’s my happy place, my me-time, one of the few things that helps me get out of my head, forget my worries and “be present”.
Grabbing a couple Bubly’s, maybe even a bag of Spitz (sunflower seeds), sitting down and booting up the PC, it’s the best. I wouldn’t consider myself a hardcore gamer by any means, but it is something I genuinely enjoy. Whether it’s exploring the Continent as Geralt of Rivia, learning about Slavic folklore and battling NPC’s in games of Gwent, or climbing the competitive ladder in Marvel Rivals. I’m there, in the moment, not thinking about much other than what game I’m playing.
With the recent release of Marvel Rivals, it’s reignited my competitive spirit when it comes to online gaming.
Dota 2 was too much of a time investment, I lost interest in Starcraft, Heroes of the Storm didn’t last long, Call of Duty became stale, and I never got into Overwatch. But with the release of Marvel Rivals and given that it is free, I gave it a shot. I was hooked! For me it’s been a ton a fun, but also a ton of frustration when you do everything you can to carry the team to a win, you still lose and get knocked down a rank. I’m no pro by any means, but I’m no noob either!
That’s what has motivated me to write this blog.
When it comes to competitive gaming, exercise can give you a boost in mental performance, giving you that competitive edge, improving reaction time, decision making, hand-eye coordination, and overall awareness. Not to mention making you feel physically better in general. So when you are sitting there for those hardcore gaming sessions, you don’t get distracted by that sore hip or back, taking away from your ability to focus on the task at hand! Cognitively and physically, you’ll be able to outlast your opponents and climb that ranked ladder for longer and faster.
We all know exercise is good for your health, but sometimes that’s not enough to get ourselves to the gym or do a quick home workout. Sometimes we need a little motivation in a different way, like realizing it can positively impact a beloved hobby, such as gaming. A huge portion of my life circles around health and fitness, and even for me, it’s hard to stay motivated sometimes. Especially if you’re someone who has a 9-5 and/or a family, hobbies and personal health sometimes fall by the wayside.
But don’t worry! A short stint of exercise can make a huge difference! Even 5-15 minutes of exercise can give you that boost you need to dominate your opponents! Not only will it help you with your performance, but it’ll keep your body healthy and strong in the long run. Don’t feel like lifting weights or doing body squats? Even a short walk outside will do the trick. The fresh air, sunlight, and movement will give you a huge boost in mood and cognitive performance. You’ll be able to get back to gaming, refreshed and ready to win!
Of course there are other things you can do in order to keep your gaming performance up. Eat healthy whole foods, drink plenty of water, and get good sleep. You can even consider blue blocking glasses (or adjusting your screen settings) to help with that eye strain and prevent that screen light from throwing off your sleep/circadian rhythm. Even supplementing with Creatine can give you a cognitive boost! (See blog post about Creatine).
Not everybody cares about looking jacked or being able to run a marathon, and you don’t have to either! But if out performing your opponents online is something you care about, a little exercise can go a long way! Consider adding a little exercise to your life, it’s a win win.
Thank you for reading, and good luck climbing the ranks!
Joshua
Druid Fitness