Gaming fatigue is very real. A lot of people find that even when they passionately enjoy a game, they can end up feeling kind of tired and drained at the end of a long session. That doesn’t take away the fun, but it can dent it just a little… which is why we’re going to look at how you can make sure a gaming session is restoring you, not draining you, every time you sit down to play.

While we’re looking mostly at pokies (Australian slang for slot machines) as the prime example of a gaming option that’s famously fast, you can apply a lot of these tips to other titles too – whenever you notice a session has left you tired, not energized, they will help.

Choose With Mindfulness

We don’t often apply mindfulness to gaming, but it can help more here than you might think. People depend heavily on autopilot to handle a lot of their activities, and that can be even more the case when we want to switch our brains off and relax – which leads to us just turning on the first game we think of and settling down. Often, we don’t take time to thoroughly assess what we feel like – or don’t feel like – before beginning.

So, what’s the solution? Mindfulness in your game selection. Sure, collapsing on the couch and pulling up the first tile-matcher on offer is easier… but it’s not going to set you up for satisfaction. Instead, think about what sort of energy you have and what kind of game you want.

This is where a lot of people end up turning to real pokies online, because they offer very varied experiences. They aren’t just about hitting the “spin” button and waiting. Today’s slots toss in all kinds of features to make the gameplay far more interesting and engaging.

Perhaps you decide that you want to set your sights on a big prize – and thus choose to play a high-volatility, progressive jackpot. Another time, you might feel like a more interactive and varied slot, and might opt for a hold and win mechanic, which keeps the winning symbols on the reels across spins, giving you more chances to win.

Deciding what kind of energy you’re feeling on any given night increases your chances of taking a gaming session from “meh” to “wow, that was exactly what I needed.”

Mix It Up

All that said, don’t forget that just because you’ve opted for a particular game to begin with, you’re not locked into playing that all evening. There are so many titles out there, and often the most satisfying gaming sessions are those that contain some variety. Maybe you begin with a slow-paced, low volatility slot that pays out quite frequently, and then move to something higher energy and more volatile as the night goes on.

Yes, a lot of folks who are enthusiastic about pokies have some reluctance to do this because they think the machine they’re playing on might suddenly hit – but remember that while this may make for a good joke, each spin is independent of the last.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ignition Australia (@ignitionaustralia)

That means you’re free to switch as soon as it suits you to do so! Bored of the mechanics in your current pick? Change it up.

This doesn’t just apply in the world of pokies; it’s true across the board. Maybe you’ve started with Stardew Valley because you were feeling slow-paced? If you’re now ready for something more high-energy, no problem! Swap to a first-person shooter, or really test your mettle against a hard platformer like Silksong. You’ll finish the session so much more energized and satisfied than if you stick with your slower-paced option just because that’s where you started.

Commit To Your Breaks

Yes, a good gaming session involves getting lost in the gaming world… but not to the point where you stare mindlessly at the screen for three hours while your foot goes numb and you slowly dehydrate. We all lose track of time when we’re doing something fun, whether it’s playing pokies or enjoying another title – and that means you’ve got to actually schedule and commit to your breaks.

Decide how long you want to play for, then set an alarm that will jolt you out of the game world and remind you to move about. Stand up, stretch, take a few sips of water, and re-energize yourself. Give your eyes a break from the screen. Re-fluff your cushions, make a hot drink, and maybe grab a few healthy snacks.

These pauses only need to be brief, but they ensure you don’t finish your gaming session with tired, sore eyes, a sticky mouth, and a stiff back. It matters even more when you’re playing a game that’s fast-paced, like pokies – but build breaks into even your slower gaming sessions, and you’ll thank yourself later.