You Drink Coffee Before Work, I Play Video Games

Many of us struggle to get up in the morning, especially on a cold Monday. While a cup of freshly brewed coffee helps, I’ve discovered that nothing motivates me to get out of bed faster than the prospect of playing video games.

Starting the Day With Games Makes Sense for Me

Before I dive in, let me say that playing games before work isn’t for everyone. If you’re up at 5 am and have a long commute, you’re already pressed for time and can’t risk being late because you spent an extra 15 minutes in a tight match.

That said, I am a freelancer with an open schedule, and I work from home. Moreover, I’m not a morning person. I can’t write good How-To Geek articles or do anything else productive unless I’m fully awake and focused. I need something to wake me up quickly, and while I love my morning cup of coffee, it just doesn’t do the trick.

I discovered that playing adrenaline-pumping online games works wonders for me. My current obsession is Marvel Rivals, though before that, it was Battlefield V. I find that competitive matches with high stakes work best. It gives me a reason to concentrate and try hard since losing will cost me ranked points.

While this might not work for everyone, I’ve found that playing a short, intense match helps keep my mind sharp and attention focused, leaving me in the perfect mood for work. I notice I’m more productive and complete tasks more quickly afterward. It’s not a massive surprise, as research has proven that games can positively impact cognitive performance, including attention and memory.

Another benefit of playing games in the morning is that it motivates me to get out of bed sooner and gets me in front of my computer—half the battle won. Once I close the game, I’m already at my desk, making it that much easier to dive into work.

I Don’t Think It’s an Addiction

I can already guess what conclusion some of you might jump to when you read my title: that I’m simply addicted to video games. But that’s not the case.

I limit my morning gaming to one match or two if the first one is shorter than usual, so I never spend more than 20 minutes gaming. Much like how some people read newspapers or do crosswords, games are a part of my morning routine rather than an obsession.

By limiting my fun to a short, controlled time frame, I prevent my gaming sessions from interfering with work. Since I can stop after a single match, I maintain healthy boundaries. When I win, I get a nice little boost that carries into my productivity. And when I lose, I simply shrug it off and remind myself that my job is more fun and rewarding than the game anyway.

This is the complete opposite of my late-night gaming sessions. I already tend to stay up late, and adding games into the mix only makes it worse. With movies and TV shows, I can stop when the episode or film ends, but with video games, it’s much harder to pull away.

Find What Works for You

Just like how relaxing games help you unwind in the evening, action-packed games can wake you up in the morning. If playing a stressful game before work isn’t your idea of fun, you might prefer something more calming to ease you into the day, like award-winning deck-building roguelite Balatro.

Alternatively, you could fit games into your existing work schedule by playing games during short breaks. That’s where a handheld or your phone can come in handy. I wouldn’t recommend gaming during work hours, though—not even a boss key can save you from the wrath of a disgruntled employer.