Finding the Sweet Spot: How to Mix Caffeine and Gaming
If you’re an avid gamer, you know the importance of staying in the zone on game night. Whether you’re taking part in a tournament or having a gaming marathon with your friends, staying alert throughout the entire experience is important.
To stay in the zone, you might be tempted to turn toward things that will stimulate your mind and give you energy, like caffeine.
While there is nothing wrong with caffeine in moderate doses, there is a “right” and “wrong” way to get your caffeine fix, especially if you don’t regularly ingest it. Once you know some of the risks, you might consider some other energy-boosting alternatives.
So, how can you make sure you’re caffeinating correctly on game night so you can pwn some noobs?
How to Caffeinate in a Healthy Way
According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s safe for the average person to drink about 4 cups of coffee each day, for the caffeine content. But, if you try to load up on caffeine for a game night, you could be putting yourself at risk for things like anxiety, muscle breakdown, rapid heart rate, and even digestive issues. You’re especially at risk if you don’t typically drink a lot of caffeine and you’re trying to give yourself an edge.
Thankfully, there are things you can add to your coffee to make it a bit healthier and to offset some of those risks, including:
- Raw honey
- Cinnamon
- Almond milk
All of the additions in the world, however, won’t completely help if you drink too much coffee. Stick to the recommended four cups a day, which is equal to about 400mg. If you’re getting your caffeine in other ways, try to keep that number in mind and pay attention to the amount you’re ingesting.
Other natural alternatives have less caffeine but more health benefits, like green tea. Green tea can help to improve brain function and allow you to stay more focused. For a gamer, that’s just as important as staying awake and energized!
Caffeine Alternatives for More Energy
If you don’t want to reach for multiple cups of joe or energy drinks that can keep you awake all night, you might consider an alternative to boosting your energy. Some of the best natural ways to give yourself a jolt include:
- Eating more nuts and fish
- Avoiding alcohol
- Reducing your stress
- Cutting back on sugar
If you do want to try caffeine but you’re not used to it, you might be worried about the ‘caffeine jitters.’ One way to combat those jitters is to add a few drops of CBD oil to your brew while you’re making it. CBD has been known to boost energy and focus. But, it can also calm your nerves and can keep the caffeine in certain drinks from making you shaky or jumpy.
One of the best things you can do is to combine some of the alternatives for more energy with your caffeine intake. In doing so, you won’t have to take as much caffeine, and you can avoid some of those adverse risks.
Opting for a Better Gamer Lifestyle
Far too often, gamers are viewed as lazy and inactive. Picturing a gamer in front of their screen with a plate of pizza rolls comes to mind for many people. Unfortunately, the actual gamer diet isn’t too far from these stereotypes. Processed foods, and those high in fat and sugar, can end up zapping your energy rather than giving you a boost. Heavily processed foods can also lead to health problems like:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
If you truly want more energy for your next game night and beyond, you can start with your daily diet. Low-calorie meals and snacks are your friends, especially those with lean proteins, whole grains, and tons of fruits and vegetables.
You’ll also have more energy if you maintain an active lifestyle, even while you’re gaming. Make it a point to get up and stretch every 30 minutes, or take a walk outside every hour.
Finally, the best way to fight fatigue and have more energy is to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Sure, it would be nice to lay down and fast forward to the morning like in almost every RPG, but that’s just not reality. You should be getting anywhere from 7-8 hours of sleep each night. So, shut down your console at least an hour before you plan on sleeping to slow down the stimulation of your brain, develop a nighttime routine, and commit to getting enough sleep.
Caffeine can definitely help to keep you awake and give you an energy boost on game night. But, making positive lifestyle changes can make you feel more energetic, overall. Consider some of these options for your next gaming marathon, and you’ll be able to stay in the zone longer.
