touch grass, kid
Are you a gamer, roughly defined as someone who doesn't just play video games sometimes, but actively embraces this modern hobby and spends days upon days of grinding for better resources and stats to be the best player you can be? Regardless of your age, there's no shame in admitting to it — internet research suggests there's about 2.69 billion active video game players in the world right now, and despite what your grandparents may think, they're definitely not all kids.
In fact, one survey showed, 20 percent of gamers are under 18, while the largest group of gamers (38 percent!) falls into the 18 to 34 age range. Fourteen percent of gamers are aged 35 to 44, while seven percent is 65+. Gaming is for everyone, no matter your age, background, or any disabilities you may have, and that's definitely part of its beauty.
I'm one of them; my vice is Minecraft, which permanently cured me of my Sid Meier's Civilization "addiction" and helped me survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Yours might be Fortnite, PUBG, Apex Legends, CSGO (Counterstrike: Global Offense), or something more niche like the old Doom.
No matter who you are, why you play, and what you play, you know that the stereotypes non-gamers seem to generate with ease aren't true. Gaming is social and mentally challenging. It has definite benefits.
Whenever you lose to a noob or are showing off that one rare item you've been grinding for for ages, though, gaming also gets toxic — and right now, that's quite often expressed by someone who tells you to "go touch grass, kid". (Followed by a whole string of L+ratio+gitgud and I don't know what else, of course.)
What's it mean? Well, according to the ultimate source of info for all things youth culture (the Urban Dictionary, of course), "touch grass" is "used when someone is doing something weird, stupid, or pointless. it means they need to come back to reality, they need to get some fresh air and get back in touch with how the real world works".
Let's be clear. It's an insult. But both you and the guy or gal who's telling you do to it should likely follow this advice. Yeah, I don't mean that you should buy a small pot of ornamental grass that can live on your desk, so you can caress it while smugly telling your opponent (that noob!) that you're actually "touching grass rn tysm L nub". Switching your computer off once in a while is really good at prolonging its lifespan, and heading outside to spend time in nature is really good for you.
Let's Get Real: How Gaming Can Harm Your Health
In no particular order — because let's be honest, I need to get this done quickly so I can get back to Minecraft, yes? — here's a look at all the very real ways in which gaming (by which we mean multiple hours a day, at least, complete with all those winning but carpal-tunnel inducing mouse moves you've perfected) is actually not that great for your health. That'll teach you to go touch grass.
- Surprisingly, research has found that gaming (specifically in kids) doesn't increase obesity rates. But it does, quite literally promote the dreaded "sedentary lifestyle". You don't need a fancy research study to prove that you're sitting while you're gaming, after all, and sitting for long hours is bad news. Leading a sedentary life is associated with bad things like diabetes, depression, and muscle pain. (Among other things, but we don't want to scare you too much.)
- Repetitive stress injury, which covers not just the dreaded carpal tunnel syndrome but also tennis elbow, cubital tunnel and tendinitis, is a very real risk for gamers. Call it an occupational injury if you like, but the fact remains that taking regular breaks and doing other stuff with your body lowers your risk.
- Then, there's internet gaming disorder, which is basically a gaming addiction. Because addictions, even behavioral ones that don't involve substances, tend to take over your life and rob you of all the richness it has to offer, they're always bad news. Gaming should be a hobby, not an addiction.
- Whether you're gaming or doing something else, the vast majority of Americans spend the vast majority of their time indoors. That exposes you, among other things to indoor air pollution. If nothing else, open the window and take a look at the birds outside.
- Gamers can also develop hand-arm vibration syndrome, a phenomenon usually associated with folks who operate heavy machinery like pneumatic drills. This will cause tingly feelings, numbness, hands that are cold to the touch, and of course a bunch of pain. Not cool.
I could go on, and on, and on, but you get the point and have probably experienced at least some of these side effects first-hand already. The point is that to find your personal balance, you need to do other stuff you're excited about. And that other stuff should definitely involve spending time in nature, outdoors, without screens.
Why You Should Go Touch Grass, Like Actually
So, the benefits of going out in nature and literally touching grass and soaking in the clean outdoor air don't just apply to gamers, but let's be clear. Chopping down that birch and collecting flowers in your Minecraft world doesn't cut it. You need the full IRL experience, but that's simpler than you think. Here's why to make the effort.
- Spending as little as 10 minutes a day walking — or sitting, or doing yoga or stretching exercises — in nature can improve your subjective mental wellbeing, research found. Specifically, it can make you feel less stressed, less depressed, and less anxious, or to frame it more positively, more relaxed, happier, and more optimistic. You don't have to go to camping. A literal walk in the park will do the trick.
- Laying in the grass for just a bit and letting your body absorb sunlight will give it the Vitamin D it needs. If you didn't know, Vitamin D can help your body in many different ways, including boosting your mood, help with healthy bone growth, and even lower the risk of some diseases.
- Got insomnia? Spending some time touching grass will help you fix that, research has shown. Better sleep means better everything, including energy and mood.
- Touching grass while you're strolling around the park or enjoying a hike will improve your working memory and focus.
- On an obvious note, you're not sitting in that gaming chair while you're touching grass, and that's good, because you need to move at least once an hour, and we don't mean just a bathroom break.
- Spending time outdoors will strengthen your immune system and make you less vulnerable to bad things like COVID and the flu. As long as you're not doing it in a crowded space filled with coughing people, of course.
- Spending time in nature, and this time specifically in a forest, may reduce your risk of cancer.
- Basically, going outside and really enjoying your time in nature regularly slashes your risk of an early death. Doesn't get any better than that, does it?
The bottom line? Simple. Next time some douche tells you to touch grass, don't be offended. Thank them for the reminder, and then go and follow through. Spending time in nature helps us connect with the wider world, and keeps us mentally sharp and physically healthy. It's good for you, and the fact that it's become an insult should tell you plenty. We're all deficient, and we can feel much better about our gaming habits after we've actually gone and touched grass.