We don’t know exactly why virtual reality (VR) makes some people tired. It could be the immersive nature of VR or the fact that you’re using your eyes and brain in a new way. Some research suggests that it might be because VR simulates some of the same conditions that lead to motion sickness.
Read on for more info on some of the reasons why VR makes you tired, and tips on what to do about it.
Why do I get tired when playing VR?
Many people experience fatigue and other negative effects from VR games. However, once you understand the reasons behind your tiredness you can take steps to do something about it and enjoy better VR experiences.
Read also: Why does gaming make me tired?
Eye strain
It’s possible that you’re getting tired from eye strain. Unlike looking at a traditional screen, with VR you’re using your eyes in a new way to track objects in 3D space. This can lead to fatigue and discomfort.
If you’re susceptible to dry eyes, you might also experience more symptoms while using VR. This is because VR headsets cover your eyes and can decrease tear production.
Motion sickness
Another possibility is that you’re experiencing motion sickness from using VR. This is because VR can simulate some of the same conditions that lead to motion sickness, such as:
– Disorientation
– Visual stimuli that doesn’t match up with what your body is feeling
– A sense of being off-balance
Several factors cause motion sickness when playing VR games, and it is not uncommon to feel dizzy during your immersive experience and even nausea on some occassions. This is particularly likely when you are new to VR and your brain expects body movement to follow what your eyes are seeing, but it doesn’t.
If you think you might be experiencing VR motion sickness, take a break from VR and see how you feel. It’s also a good idea to start slowly with VR and increase your usage gradually.
Dehydration
It’s possible that you’re feeling tired because you’re dehydrated. When you’re using VR, you might not realize how much you’re sweating. This can lead to dehydration, which can make you feel tired and dizzy.
Be sure to drink plenty of water before and during your VR session. And if you start to feel dehydrated, take a break and have something to drink.
Not remembering to drink enough water is one of the reasons why people also get tired playing board games.
Concentration
Another reason why you might be feeling tired is because VR requires a lot of concentration. You have to pay attention to what’s happening in the virtual world, which can be mentally and visually demanding.
If you’re finding it difficult to concentrate, take a break from VR and give yourself a chance to rest. You could also try using VR for shorter periods of time.
Latency
Latency is the delay between when you move your head and when that movement is reflected in the virtual world. If there’s a high amount of latency, it can cause VR sickness. This is because your brain isn’t able to process the information quickly enough, which can lead to disorientation.
If you’re experiencing latency issues, it might help to adjust the settings on your VR device. You can also try using a wired connection instead of wireless. If you experience significant latency then you should stop VR use straight away.
Postural instability
You may be surprised to read that you actually experience postural instability when playing VR. Postural stability is where the muscles in your body keep your body in its natural position. But, as VR involves movement that your body is not accustomed to, postural instability can make you feel more tired and give you general discomfort. For example, many people tend to lean forwards when playing VR games, meaning that your muscles have to hold you in an unusual position, adding stress and fatigue to your body.
Is it healthy to play VR all day?
There’s no definitive answer to this question. It likely depends on the person and how their body reacts to VR.
If you find that VR makes you tired, it’s probably best to take breaks throughout the day and not use VR for extended periods of time. You might also want to try using VR for shorter sessions and gradually increasing your usage.
It’s also important to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated while using VR. And if you start to feel any symptoms of VR sickness, such as nausea or dizziness, take a break from VR and see how you feel. Remember, you can always start slow with VR and increase your usage gradually.
How to prevent getting tired playing VR
Headset type
Head mounted displays are not all the same, and choosing the right headset can avoid a lot of negative side effects of VR.
Older VR headsets use 3-degrees of freedom tracking, whereas newer and more expensive headsets have 6-degrees of freedom tracking. This gives more freedom of movement and reduces the nausea associated with VR. Reducing virtual reality sickness means that you are likely to feel less tired. So, you may decide to invest in one of the newer virtual reality headsets.
Use controllers
Using controllers with your VR headset can reduce motion sickness and allow you to explore your virtual environment in a way that minimizes the disorientation you would normally experience as your body adjusts to moving in the virtual world.
Change your chair
Sitting in a swivel chair can actually help you feel less tired as a VR user. This is for two reasons. Firstly, you are sitting down rather than standing up so your level of exertion is reduced. Secondly, a swivel chair reduces the difference between what you are seeing on your VR headset and the movement of your body, as you can rotate 360 degrees (unlike on a normal chair). This permits the body’s sense of movement whilst still allowing you to sit rather than stand.
Keep sessions short
Keeping your VR sessions short can help you feel less tired. This is because you are not spending a long time in the virtual world and so your body does not have to adjust for an extended period of time. You should also try to use VR for shorter periods of time and gradually increase your usage. This will help your body to get used to VR and reduce the likelihood of feeling tired.
Take a break
If you start to feel tired, it is important to take a break. This will give your body a chance to rest and recover.
If you start to feel any symptoms of VR sickness, such as nausea or dizziness, take a break from VR and see how you feel. Remember, you can always start slow with VR and increase your usage gradually.
Keep hydrated
It is important to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated when using VR. This will help your body to function properly and reduce the likelihood of feeling tired.
Get fresh air
If you start to feel tired, it is important to take a break and get some fresh air. This will help you to feel more alert and refresh you ready for your next VR gaming session.
Eat light meals
Eating light meals will help you to feel less tired as a VR user. This is because heavy meals can make you feel sluggish and decrease your level of concentration. Also, eating a large meal before your VR experience can increase the likelihood of you experiencing VR motion sickness.
Avoid VR if you are feeling run down
If you are already feeling unwell then you shouldn’t play VR, as it will likely make you feel worse. It’s also really important not to play VR if you have an ear infection, as this will make sensory issues worse. If you have a raised body temperature or feel sick at all then you shouldn’t use VR until you are feeling better.
How long is it ok to play VR for?
The time spent immersed in the virtual environment will vary from person to person, and there isn’t really a definitive answer. However, it is generally recommended that you take breaks every 30 minutes to an hour, and that you limit your VR usage to no more than 2-3 hours per day. This will help you to avoid feeling tired or experiencing any negative effects of VR.
Conclusion: Why does VR make me tired?
There are a few possible reasons why VR might make you tired. It could be because of the immersive nature of VR, the use of your eyes in a new way, or the fact that VR simulates some of the same conditions that lead to motion sickness. To avoid getting tired from VR, try using a headset that is comfortable for you, taking breaks throughout the day, and staying hydrated. You might also want to try using VR for shorter sessions and gradually increasing your usage. Remember, if you start to feel any symptoms of VR sickness, take a break from VR and see how you feel.