Being a gamer isn’t easy. All the hours spent in the chair, while intensely focusing on winning games is not exactly the body’s favorite activity. In order to trick your body into believing you are doing your best to keep it functioning, one must apply a wide range of strategies.
One of the most common issues gamers face is the cold hands’ syndrome, which often disrupts the game flow and causes a very unpleasant feeling in the fingers.
Side note: If you just need a quick list of causes and solutions, scroll to the bottom. However, this article goes deeper into everything.
Table of Contents
What is the Main Reason your Hands Become Cold?
From a biological point of view, your body starts cooling off when you sit still for longer periods of time. You see, our body is made for movement, and if the brain doesn’t receive the signal, then it tends to channel the blood to the organs, rather than extremities. In that case, you stay with cold hands and feet, which can be warmed up once you improve the blood circulation.
Cold hands are a sign that your sympathetic nervous system is active, or in other words, the part of the brain in charge of the fight or flight response is now in charge. What that means is that you are way over the healthy limit, causing the body to react to a stressful situation.
These outer symptoms are nothing but your body’s defense mechanism at its best. Now that you know the problem, it will be easy to address the root cause, rather than treating the mere manifestations.
Can Cold Hands Actually Lead to Something More Serious?
If you think your gaming career is a relevant part of your life, then, yes. Constantly experiencing cold hands will definitely decrease your pace, forcing you to lose the top-notch motor activities that have helped you win. It is not easy to deliver good games, as your internal organs get the blood supply, leaving your hands without the warm sensation which also adds to the overall flexibility.
It won’t be easy to complete tasks with your regular speed, and not to mention hectic tournaments when you are expected to use your best skills. If, at some point, you feel like it is getting worse, and start experiencing pain and discoloration, then make sure to consult with an expert. Sharp pain and tingling sensations are not to be taken lightly. There are numerous techniques that you can apply to relieve the unpleasant feelings and go back on track.
If you are not able to deal with it on your own, make sure to visit your doctor who might be able to help you not just solve the problem, but avoid potential health hazards in the future.
Unhealthy lifestyle
We are all aware that gamers don’t really adhere to the healthiest living style. Having said that, there are scientific proofs that claim sedentary lifestyle habits are the main cause of the cold hands. Sometimes the underlying reason might be connected with the individual’s overall health.
For example, smokers are at risk to experience a cold way longer than non-smokers. Our blood vessels get constricted when encountering nicotine, further causing poor blood circulation. If you are suffering from cold hands and feet, the first thing you should consider is giving up smoking. This might not pose a problem at an early stage, but the situation is not likely to get any better in the future.
Building a career in just about anything does come with a certain price, and gaming is no different. You should opt for healthier living conditions if you are to master the game and avoid trivial issues that can cause a lot of damage in the long run. The same goes for excessive caffeine intake, as well as junk or fast-food that is sure to weaken the body’s immune system.
Could it be That you Forget to Breathe Normally?
You would be surprised to find out how many people simply forget to breathe when faced with challenges of life. It could be anything, from a competitive game to an everyday family discussion. We tend to breathe very shallowly in stressful situations, depriving our lungs of the much-needed oxygen. It might sound like a cliche, but once you get a hold of it, you will immediately notice the changes.
Taking deep breaths as you move along is sure to improve your coordination, clear up the brain fog and help you bring your body in balance. By providing your body with enough oxygen, you will witness the stress leaving the body and blood coming back to the extremities.
The mere fact that blowing air into dry hands makes them warmer is a valid proof of how powerful our breath is. You can also try performing dynamic inhalations and exhalations, which are known to generate body heat. Breathing is also known to decrease anxiety, which, in some cases, might be the one and only reason you have cold hands.
Did You Set up the Right Environment?
Setting up your gaming practice in a cold room is probably linked to the cold hands’ issue. While it might be a good idea to spend hours in a chilly living space that enhances your focus, you might want to reconsider that.
As a professional gamer, you cannot afford to have cold palms, as that is sure to influence your performance in the long run. If the problem persists after you warm up the room, then you ought to find a different solution, since other problems, such as iron deficiency, might be present.
Make sure the living space is well-equipped for long-stay durations. You want to ensure the room is well-ventilated without unnecessarily using the AC (which might further increase the pain level in the hands).
If you have no other option, then try to place the air condition far from the desk, as its cold air is sure to only prolong the discomfort. Your extremities will turn warm as long as you channel the blood back to the peripheries, instead of subconsciously protecting your inner organs in a state of cold or, even worse, stress.
What Would be the Solution?
The first thing that comes to mind is, start moving! You might be terribly busy at times, but that is why it is crucial to use the small breaks to stretch. Even if you don’t feel like you need to get up, make it a habit before it becomes a necessity.
Once you are out of the virtual world, try to make it up for your body by indulging in regular training sessions. It could be anything you are keen on, as long as it makes you move and sweat. The body is more likely to restore its powerful healing system if you strengthen the muscles.
The soothing effects that exercise has on one’s mind are also well-researched topics that have proven to be one of the best long-term health solutions. You might want to incorporate wrist and finger movements, which are sure to enhance your skills and help you become a better player.
If you find it difficult to begin, start small by taking short breaks. Your body will thank you later.
The Secret Behind Gaming Gloves
Players these days are becoming more imaginative. You will read about some who like to use a hairdryer to warm up their hands, as well as others who prefer to soak hands in hot water, and so on.
Some gamers opt for gaming gloves, which have become the thing on the market. What is good about those gloves is that you can keep the hands’ temperature on an optimal level, without having to lose precious time for preparation. Most of them come with anti-sweat properties, that enable professionals to execute more precise strikes. However, the problem is that some gloves get quite warm once you are in full action, while others might not be your size. Of course, by now you should have plenty of options to chose from, ranging from foamy lizard to fingerless comper compression gloves. The ideal gloves should have a firm grip, good breathability, as well as flexibility.
The Hot and Cold Water Treatments
You must have noticed many athletes go for the ice baths after short sauna sessions. We don’t suggest you follow their example, but you might benefit by simply soaking your hands in hot or cold water. If you feel brave enough, you can do it in turns, which will result in awakening your immune system.
This strategy is useful for those of you who want to address the issue on the spot, directing blood towards the extremities in a matter of minutes. The experience is not as pleasant as it looks and it will take some time away from the game as you prepare the water and dry the hands.
Try to submerge the whole arm in the water for optimal results. Also, don’t make this a habit, as it won’t fix the real problem that might deteriorate over time. Rubbing your hands is also another great short-term solution, which will help you finish the game. However, if done too often, it might weary on you.
Food is the Medicine
This might not bring the instant result many of us want, but it is probably the second-best option after creating an active lifestyle. Food such as salmon, broccoli, and other leafy green vegetables, are known to improve blood circulation in the body.
All other foods rich with antioxidants, such as blueberries, or dark chocolate are widely praised for their positive influence on the organism.
Spices such as cardamom, ginger, black pepper or cinnamon also have the capacity to boost the immune system.
Incorporating nuts, as well as vitamin E rich foods in your daily diet is another terrific idea that will promote the heat in the hands.
Hot drinks such as herbal teas, plenty of seeds and cold-pressed oils also add to the list of valuable ingredients.
Healthy food and regular exercise are the best ways to keep you in good shape, both physically and mentally.
Invisible Hugs That Keep Your Hands Warm and Safe
While it might sound like a romance movie title, we assure you it is nothing of that kind. The increasingly popular hand warmers have taken the gaming world by storm.
Natural infrared waves are responsible for improving the blood flow which does indeed result in warmer hands. It prevents injuries that might be caused by extreme clicking. The real advantage of this product is its multi-purpose use.
Whilst you can use it to warm up the hands before the game, another family member will find it extremely useful for chronic pain. The manufacturers proudly present their products made using the newest technology and up to 5000 hours of active use.
Once you think about all the benefits you are getting, the price doesn’t seem that high, after all. These devices are usually portable and light, making them a perfect addition to your gaming equipment, as you pave your path to a successful career.
List of Causes
- Stress
- Sedentary Lifestyle
- S.N.S is active
- Smoking
- Excessive Caffeine Intake
- Bad Nutrition
- Cold Environment
- Iron Deficiency
List of Solutions
- Rub Hands Together
- Hot and Cold Water Treatment
- Move Around to Increase Blood Flow
- Perform Dynamic Inhalations and Exhalations
- Turn Off AC
- Turn On Heater
- Use Gaming Gloves
- Eat Healthy Foods
- Hand Warmers
Check out This Cool Gadget for Warming the Hands!
Conclusion
Cold hands are likely to appear as a by-product of sedentary life. Lack of movement is likely to influence the mind as well, which can easily be tricked into a fight or flight response, causing the stress levels to increase. On top of that, an unbalanced diet and breath unawareness can deteriorate the overall systems in the body.
Cold hands while gaming can cause an awful lot of issues that will inevitably influence the level of your performance. Luckily, there are many solutions nowadays. Whether you opt for a hand warmer, gaming gloves or alternating hot and cold water baths, bear in mind that dietary and lifestyle changes are the most important long-term solutions that improve not just your gaming experience, but also every other area of your life.
