Victory Royale!
If you’re a parent of school-aged children, you’re probably familiar with the game Fortnite. Many kids were spending hours upon hours trying to get their Victory Royale with their friends over the summer. Playing video games is a very common activity for children, and many adults as well. Often times you will find your child coming home from school and sitting down to play a few rounds before dinner. Afterward, they will probably do some homework (if not before dinner) only to want to go back to playing after their homework is finished. It seems to be all they want to do at this point!
Posture is important
While at school, children are often in a seated position, hunched over their desk to take notes or do schoolwork. When they come home and play video games, they almost always return to that hunched position as they sit as close to the TV as possible to immerse themselves in the action. Dinner is also often enjoyed in a hunched position while eating, as well as while doing homework afterward. This hunched position is common for your child, and it does not vary much throughout the day. While we’re talking mostly about kids here, poor posture is also incredibly common in adults who spend their entire work day sitting at a desk. This poor posture habit can lead to further health problems if you’re not making a conscious effort to correct it.
Text neck
Text neck, also known as tech neck, is a result of looking down at our phones/tablets/computers for extended periods of time throughout the day. This can result in a decreased curve in the neck, which puts a lot of pressure on your spinal cord and can have an impact on your overall health. This is also the result of poor posture while playing video games or doing homework.
Posture related concerns
There are a variety of health concerns that arise from poor posture and repetitive motions while playing video games. Even a slight neck ache can be the start of bigger problems. Common concerns include:
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Loss of essential curvature in the spine
What can you do?
Correcting the problem at a younger age will help to prevent these problems in the future. Here are some key things to implement into their daily routine.
- Limit screen time – Take a 15 minute break every hour.
- Play outside – Fresh air and exercise are great for the developing body. Aim for 30-60 minutes a day.
- Change position often – The body is meant for movement, so changing positions often will help keep stress off of one specific area of the body.
- NAG your child to sit up straight – No parent likes to nag, but keeping good posture is necessary to maintain good health. Make sure the TV or monitor is set at eye level (so they aren’t looking down), sit up straight, pull shoulders down and back, and tuck the chin.
- Stay hydrated – hydration is key to any activity. Plus the more water they consume, the more often they will have to get up to use the restroom. It’s a win-win!
- Chiropractic care – While we do everything to maintain good posture, sometimes we could use some help. Chiropractic care aims to restore balance to the spine, so getting care before problems arise is a good idea. Chiropractic care is safe for all ages, so get your gamer under care early to set good habits for the future.