Effective Strategies for Managing Physical Stress
Besides using the built-in break features, players can develop simple habits to soften the physical impact. Your environment matters. Play in a well-lit, comfortable room, not in a tense, isolated spot. Keep refreshed with water, and avoid too much caffeine or energy drinks. Those stimulants pile on the cardiovascular arousal from the game. Try conscious breathing between rounds. A few deep, slow breaths can send safety to your brain. Most important, set a strict time limit before you log on and use an alarm clock—not your own willpower—to stick to it. These strategies create a container for the experience, keeping you from becoming completely immersed in the game’s stressful world.