10 Ways Wow is Bad for Your Health

You may think that people are being dramatic when they say that games such as World of Warcraft can destroy your health, but there could be more truth to this claim than you realize. World of Warcraft can affect you in many ways simultaneously and even 10 small drains on your health can add up to one big one. Knowing these ten ways World of Warcraft can affect you might make you rethink your gaming habits.

Social Isolation

You surely know people who lose entire days playing World of Warcraft. Maybe you are one of these people. Loneliness can harm your immune system and your sleep patterns, both of which could devastate your health. Even playing with others online lacks real social connection.

Obesity

It may sound like a leap to talk about obesity, but it is not. The chances of being overweight go up with the amount of time spent playing this type of game. It is especially true for teens.

Back Problems

Proper posture is essential to a healthy back and spine. Hours spent hunched over any game will do damage in time. Computer workers get it from poor work practices but gamers can get it just as easily.

Hand And Wrist Problems

Poor positioning and repetitive movements can also harm the fingers, hands, and wrists. Again you probably relate this to computer workers and again it can happen if you are playing too. Having fun does not remove these risks.

Addiction

World of Warcraft addiction may not be taken as seriously as drug or alcohol addiction but it can be detrimental to health. Even if it does not reach a full blown addiction, playing World of Warcraft can easily encroach on the rest of life. A person could play endlessly.

Violence

This argument is dismissed by some and taken very seriously by others. Watching violence desensitizes you to it. It happens to anyone and can have repercussions in the real world.

Eye Strain

Staring at a computer screen for hours on end is not good for your eyes. This is true for the strain of doing it for one day and most gamers do not stop playing after the first day.

Stunted Brain Growth

There have even been studies that excessive gaming can stunt brain growth. While these findings are far from conclusive at this point, it should make you stop and think. At the very least, this game could keep players from more intellectual pursuits.

Headaches

Extended hours playing World of Warcraft causes headaches in many players. These headaches may be mild or may be severe enough to interfere with the rest of life.

Sleep Deprivation

Some players play World of Warcraft so much that they neglect their need for sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and poor performance in all other areas of life. In addition, this lack of sleep can lead to any number of other health problems.

World of Warcraft can destroy your health. There are so many aspects of one’s health that could be adversely affected that this game must be played responsibly. This is true for all games, of course, but this is one of the most popular, and potentially most dangerous, of the moment.

Tom Rheinecker writes about how to apply to online ultrasound technician schools.