Life moves fast. Between long shifts as a pharmacist, family commitments, and trying to stay on top of things like bills, laundry, and meal prep, it’s easy to let hobbies or downtime fall by the wayside. But for me, there are two things that keep me grounded, energized, and balanced: staying active through sports, and unwinding with video games. It might sound like an odd combo—sweating it out on a basketball court and then logging into a console later that night—but finding time for both has made a huge difference in how I manage stress, stay connected with friends, and just feel more like myself.

Here’s how I learned to balance the two—and why I think fitness and gaming don’t have to be at odds. In fact, they can actually work together to support a well-rounded life.

Moving My Body Keeps Me Mentally Sharp

Since high school, sports have always been a part of who I am. Whether it was football with friends in the neighborhood, basketball tournaments, or now, recreational pickleball and bowling leagues, physical activity is how I blow off steam. After spending long hours indoors at work—often under bright lights and standing behind a counter—being able to move, stretch, and compete gives my brain the reset it needs.

There’s something powerful about getting out of your head and into your body. You don’t have to think about deadlines or emails when you’re trying to make a fast break or win a rally. That kind of focus, even for an hour, does more for me than a cup of coffee ever could.

Exercise also helps with sleep and mood—both of which are critical when you work in healthcare. When I’m consistent with staying active, I notice I have more patience with people, more energy at work, and a better ability to bounce back when life gets stressful.

Gaming Isn’t Just Escape—It’s Connection

Now, on the flip side, there’s gaming. For a long time, people looked at video games as a lazy or antisocial activity. But that’s just not true. For me, gaming has always been more than sitting around staring at a screen. It’s a way to decompress, sure, but also to stay connected with friends—especially now that we’re all spread out across different states and schedules.

Jumping into a co-op game or a quick match after work is like meeting up with the crew at the park—only digitally. We talk, laugh, strategize, and sometimes trash talk, just like we would if we were playing pickup basketball. It’s a reminder that even though adult life gets busy, friendships don’t have to fade.

Games also tap into a different part of the brain. They keep me sharp, creative, and focused. Puzzle games challenge my thinking, while story-driven ones help me unwind after a long day. I can turn off the stress of real life for a while and immerse myself in something that’s just fun.

Balance Is a Choice, Not a Schedule

A lot of people ask, “How do you find time to do both?” The truth is, it’s not about having a perfect schedule—it’s about being intentional. Some weeks, I get to play basketball two or three times. Other weeks, I might only get in one gym session and a few rounds of a game before bed. That’s okay. It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistency.

I’ve learned to treat both fitness and gaming as part of my self-care, not as guilty pleasures. I don’t beat myself up if I skip a workout to get some rest, and I don’t feel bad if I spend a few hours gaming on the weekend. As long as I’m staying active, staying healthy, and staying connected, I consider it a win.

Sometimes I even combine the two—like watching NBA highlights while gaming, or doing bodyweight exercises between matches. Little things like that help me stay in rhythm, even during a busy week.

Lessons From the Court—and the Console

What’s interesting is how much overlap there is between sports and gaming. Both teach you patience, discipline, problem-solving, and teamwork. Whether I’m trying to improve my free throws or figure out how to beat a boss level, the process is the same: practice, learn from mistakes, stay calm under pressure, and try again.

That mindset has even helped me professionally. During the peak of COVID, I was part of a massive vaccine rollout project, helping vaccinate Delta employees across Atlanta. It was high-stress, high-stakes work, and I leaned heavily on those same qualities I developed through years of sports and gaming—focus, resilience, communication, and adaptability.

Finding Joy in the Everyday

At the end of the day, life is about finding the things that bring you joy—and making space for them, even when things get hectic. For me, being on the court and picking up a controller are both ways I recharge and reconnect. They remind me not to take life too seriously, to keep moving, and to always make time for fun.

You don’t have to choose between being fit and being a gamer. You can be both. And you can be great at both, in your own way. It just takes a little intention, a little flexibility, and a reminder that taking care of yourself doesn’t always mean slowing down—it can also mean playing harder, laughing more, and leaning into the things you love.

So here’s to the next pickup game—and the next game night. See you on the court, and maybe online too.