Something had to change, so here’s what I did.

Was my keyboard situated in a way that forced me into an awkward posture?

It was a small bit of discomfort, easily ignored or unnoticed with any distraction.

‘Figment’ in a Galaxy Z Fold 6 next to an 8BitDo Pro 2 controller.

It was easy enough to suss out that the sore spine situation was entirely my fault.

There areplenty of affordable optionsthat promote better posture and reduce the pressure on your back.

My old, oversized keyboard was causing me to reach in ways that strained my shoulders and upper back.

8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller on a table surrounded by gaming items.

I needed something compact and as ergonomically friendly as the chair I just wasted a weeks pay on.

The wide world of wrist-friendly keyboards hasa lot of options, and its worth a fair bit of research.

But there are ways to keep it in line with my new adherence to body awareness.

A young man sitting in a gaming chair exhibiting signs of neck pain.

Artit Wongpradu/Shutterstock.com

The Razer Firefly V2 Pro is the world’s first LED backlit gaming mouse mat.

Tangled cables not only looked messy but also forced me into awkward positions to free up slack.

I needed to change my habits to really tackle the back pain issue.

A gamer at a desk.

R. Griffey / How-to-Geek

The merits ofgaming while standingcant be understated.

It helps to relieve pressure on the spine and encourages better posture.

Regular breaks became non-negotiable.

Secretlab TITAN Evo SoftWeave Plus

Secretlab’s TITAN Evo SoftWeave Plus is a luxurious gaming chair featuring premium construction, multiple points of adjustment, and a soft-to-the-touch fabric that enhances every gaming experience.

Lighting was another factor I hadn’t considered.

Poor lighting can result in poor posture as you squint and hunch closer to the screen.

Without maintaining a mindful posture, the rest of these changes mean nothing.

A keyboard and a mouse on a desk with several ‘x’ below.

Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek | Best Buy

you might set yourself up for success, but you have to use the tools correctly.

I made a conscious effort to sit back in my chair, letting the lumbar support do its job.

Take the time to set up your space properly and incorporate regular breaks and exercises.

Razer Firefly V2 Pro

The Razer Firefly V2 Pro is the world’s first LED backlit gaming mouse mat.

Your health is just as important as your gaming skills.

Dont ignore the signs of discomfort and your back will thank you.

Secretlab MAGNUS Pro desk with dual monitor mount and PC undermount.

Mark LoProto / How-to Geek