The importance of self-care for gamers and content creators

For many years, mental health and general well-being were topics that were rarely discussed in public. That has changed in recent times, although there are still many who do not consider these aspects when it comes to work-related issues.

With the imprinting of technology and the boom of new professions - such as influencers, gamers, streamers and content creators - certain shortcomings of our society have been exposed. Thanks to the anonymity offered by digital media and their immediacy, it is easier to launch negative comments or harassment against people.

There is a whole problem surrounding these issues, making self-care imperative for those who spend a certain number of hours a day in front of a computer. We reflect on this in the following lines.

What is self-care and why is it important to practice it?

Self-care means different things to different people, as model and actress Slick Woods explains (Vogue.co.uk, 2020). It is a broad concept that encompasses all those activities that we consciously practice for our quality of life. Beyond eating and sleeping, we all need to nourish the spirit as well as pamper the body.

Self-care encompasses everyday acts such as having a cup of tea, reading a book, taking time to perform a personal hygiene ritual, playing a game of MrBet, exercising or going for a walk. Also life choices such as going to therapy, working on improving our personal relationships, choosing a job that gives us peace, planning trips, etc.

These are all actions that, when taken voluntarily, help us to maintain good physical and mental health and to avoid pathologies related to chronic stress, such as metabolic and sleep disorders, heart disease, obesity, anxiety and depression.

What about those behind the screen?

People need self-care to maintain harmony and well-being in their lives. Regardless of age, gender or socio-economic status, a relaxing time a day and time for oneself should be non-negotiable. However, digital media workers often neglect these types of activities, mainly because it is thought that they are not "real" jobs but are free time around the clock.

The reality is that content creators and gamers need more than anyone else to invest effort in their own well-being. A report by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry states that those who spend more than three hours a day connected to social media and digital platforms are at an increased risk of mental health conditions such as depression, panic attacks and anxiety disorders (Esmental.com, 2021).

The reasons behind this reality lie in the teasing and unfortunate comments they are exposed to on a daily basis because of their work. These often cause streamers, influencers and related professionals to isolate themselves and develop different alterations of varying severity in their state of mind.

On the other hand, it is inevitable that those who work in these professions are constantly comparing themselves with their colleagues. Whether it is the number of followers, the acceptance they receive from their community, or the fame and prestige they may achieve. This causes frequent ups and downs in self-esteem and self-perception.

These occupations are emotionally difficult to manage and entail a series of risks that people who work "anonymously" do not have to deal with.

What you need to do to maintain a balanced life

If you are forced to spend a certain number of hours a day on digital platforms for a living or are a public figure, you are likely to face problems ranging from cyberbullying to sedentary lifestyles. Your social life and interpersonal relationships can suffer when you have to cope with being known among a digital community.

The following are some self-care tips that you may find useful:

• Do breathing exercises several times a day, they help regulate your moods and heart rate (Shopify.com, 2022);
• Don't neglect your physical health, take care of any ailments and your body's needs in time;
• Get moving, get at least 20 minutes of physical exercise a day;
• Maintain proper sleep hygiene, including disconnecting from screens at least two hours before bedtime;
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet and do not skip meals;
• Avoid isolating yourself from your social environment and loved ones, give yourself time each day to interact with others;
• Organise your tasks and delegate responsibilities, planning and not overloading yourself with work is essential;
• Keep in touch with a mental health specialist, especially if you are or have been the target of social media taunts and attacks.