No one can question the boom of the iGaming industry, as the vast majority of kids and adolescents in the U.S. play video games. Although most play in moderation, without harmful consequences, some become addicted, leading to health and social problems.

You need to adjust your gaming time as you get older and busy. It doesn’t have to end totally, but if it gets in your way of life, you need to regulate it. These are ways through which you can limit your gaming time:

Set limits

One way to reduce gaming time is by setting and following concrete limits. Setting SMART goals will help you evaluate the benefits of the limitations. SMART is short for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

Steps to take

Create and follow a strict schedule that includes gaming hours and other activities. Only play video games at the scheduled time, and don’t replace other tasks with gaming. Regularly evaluate the progress to see whether it is working. Reduced gaming time shows the limits are working.

Limiting the gaming budget is also necessary for lowering the playing period. You can specify how many games to purchase in a month. Start saving or spending money on other things to reduce the gaming budget.

Track your gaming time

The engaging nature of video games is one reason people spend too much time on them. It is easy to become hooked on the fascinating worlds and appealing progression levels, consuming much more time than planned.

Start noticing when you start playing and stop, and check on the total playing time at the end of the week. The totals will help you know if you are overplaying so that you can initiate measures to reduce the time.

Start playing with other people

Spending too much time alone in a gaming room negatively impacts your relationships with other people. Playing together allows you to interact and bond with others, opening your mind to new experiences outside the gaming world.

Physical companionships help to eradicate loneliness, which can create mental problems. Conversing with others and cracking jokes uplifts your mood, making you happier and more productive.

Spend more time on other priorities

The ultimate negative effect of video games is addiction, which comes at a high cost to other life responsibilities. A game addict will neglect their family and personal hygiene, accumulate bills, or start skipping work.

These consequences are signs of excess play time; urgent interventions are necessary in this case. Take some time off the consoles and write down other matters that require attention. List what you need to start doing to improve your life away from video games.

Question yourself

- Are my relationships better or worse than before?
- Where do I want to be in the future?
- How is my physical health now compared to when I was not playing the games?

Answering these questions will help you prioritize your issues rather than spend too much time in the gaming room. Reevaluate your life based on the answers to these questions and start making things right.

Get out and exercise

Video games are beneficial in helping the brain to exercise. However, when done excessively, they may lead to mental fatigue, lowering brain activity, and leading to other health problems. Being physically active improves your well-being, including enhanced mood and high self-esteem.

If you are a student, regular exercise increases your concentration levels, leading to better grades. You may also play video games that involve physical activity as a part of the exercise. These are the games that require you to stand or move your body.

Find alternative hobbies

Getting into other leisure activities will reduce your time in the gaming room. Get something that keeps your mind and body busy away from the gaming consoles. Jogging, reading novels, or learning to play the guitar are some things you can do.

Also, people who enjoy gaming and computer games might have a calling for game development. Try to find hobbies that can turn into something more. It is true that for such a career, you need to study more and practice even more. Combining a passion for gaming with a future career seems like the perfect equation for success.

Find the right balance

Video games have numerous benefits when played moderately. Nevertheless, it would help if you took caution to protect yourself from the adverse effects of gaming. This type of addiction may harm not only you but also your family and closest ones.

Take steps to limit your time in the gaming room by setting limits, tracking your gaming time, socializing with other people, prioritizing other things, doing physical exercises, and finding alternative hobbies.