a good article about SL and health issues

There are other virtual worlds included in this article, too. You don't have to register to read it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/05/AR2007100502391.html

I believe strongly that if you put your focus and energy on where you want to be, rather than on where you currently are, your body will start to create real, physical changes to match your new image of it.

There is a strong link here to the concept of "creating your own reality"; it's very encouraging that health researchers are starting to see there are real connections between what we believe and what we experience.

Ever since I discovered SL I marvelled at its potential to aid and heal. Nice to see some positive articles about that. Thanks for sharing.

I strongly believe that regardless of your focus, if you sit on your tush all day you'll have weak muscles & cardiopulmonary system. If you also overeat, you'll get fat.

Imaging is an excellent tool and very productive, but without taking action it's about as productive as a fart on a windy day.

Get your exercise, folks! Be a friend to yourself and your fellow SL-ers and call an occasional stretch break! Sitting long periods at a computer is terribly unhealthy and we all need to take some 'cross training' seriously if we want to lead long and healthy lives.

(OK, sorry for the tangential rant! Very interesting article. Just don't expect your body to grow to look anything like your avatar without stepping AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD! So, while SL definitely has positive aspects, I'm sure it's in general rather bad for the health of most participants.)

pritty much as skinny as my avi while i`ve been doing sitted jobs for a very long time and can eat what ever i want in any quantity without it affecting weight

Wonderful article. I liked the term "emotional bandwidth". I hadn't heard it before.

As for sitting on one's butt, I find sitting very hard to do...not comfy for me so I work standing up at the computer and do stretches, weights, etc while I'm inworld. Sort of like my own version of Wii.

I really recommend it to people if you are able to stand. If it gets tiring, I have a stool nearby to rest on but I actually like being able to move around or dance when my avatar is dancing.

That's great advice for healthy people and those who are physically able. What about those of us who are severely limited in mobility where we would otherwise be quite sedentary? I wager interacting with people via SL is far healthier than watching the idiot box (aka TV) or even mindless web surfing.

I agree that variety is the spice of life but as someone who is disabled and works with disabled people, SL is another option, and I feel a healthy one.

I totally agree Lucrezia even for those of us temporarily sidelined, SL has a very healthy effect. I had surgery that required some considerable downtime and SL saved my sanity. I love to read but there is only so much reading one can do and it is an activity that is solitary. I can't stand TV for its passivity..it makes me feel ill if I watch it too much. SL also reminded me of my creativity, provided me with some much needed social interaction and sparked a new interest in 3D modeling (yay sculpties) so that now that I can get around again, I am taking classes in Maya3D.


And of course the forums are very good for the brain too. All the opinionated folks made me realized how opinionated I am!

And I got some great ideas of how to wear my very long hair!!!

Wow, what a great article....I've long been thinking about the endless possiblilties within the world of SL... I joined in May 2007 and haven't looked back. I'm not disabled in any way, well apart from the fact that I'm Irish, not sure if that counts!!!

But I still have learned and progressed through many learning experiences which I probably wouldn't have done had I not stumbled upon SL 5 months ago. It has proved to me that I'm capable of learning complicated graphic applications, I've discovered a talent for creation in a graphic medium that I never thought I had.

I know that this doesn't ever come close to the experiences of the other people in that article who are brave souls who have overcome tremendous obstacles in their lives. And it just proves to me yet again that SL is not only about strip-joints and malls. For me it's about an entire universe of creativity, where people willingly share their time and experiences. It's a place to explore the many facets of ones personality without fear of rejection or reprimand.

Once again, thanks so much for letting the community know abou this article

I have found SL beneficial to my health as well, and I have no disability. The support and encouragement of my friends in SL has actually led me to START an exercise program, after years of being sedentary. I've lost ten pounds in the last two months, and now I NEED to take my walk every day.

Odd, but when I mentioned other disabilities in SL during the "Voice" wars and the options it opens to them, some said those people wouldn't use something like SL anyways?

I hate you.

Me too!

"Murray and others, however, worry that participants may neglect potentially more helpful real-life relationships, or have unrealistic expectations about what virtual worlds can do. Users and health-care providers may be rushing ahead, they say, without validating the usefulness of these worlds or identifying the dangers."

Tho I tend to lean heavily toward this particular quote. There's a lot more we'll learn as virtual worlds become more popular and I agree to some degree about the emotionally healing aspects of it....and certainly for those who are limited physically or mentally is some way.....they can be an incredibly useful form of therapy, as well as a door to the social world that might otherwise remain closed.

There's a fine line here....personally...I feel SL is great for me emotionally, given my particular situation with my fiance being over seas....and my being fairly isolated where I live. Physically...I think it's potentially harmful as I tend to be a bit of a recluse anyway and SL doesn't exactly encourage my getting out and breathing fresh air & socializing among RL friends. The only thing I can say is sometimes I get so frustrateed with myself for spending so much time on the dam computer......that I am jonesing to go DO something, so I do. LOL I'm skinny like my AV.....but I doubt very much I could wander about as much as she does without being exhausted at the end of the day. I used to be in a lot better physical shape...I may 'look' like I'm in good shape...but I know dam well that sitting in front of the computer as had a negative effect on my 'health' that way.

Me too!


** Edited **

5'1" and 98lbs since 1984 able to eat anything & everything (except tomatoes!)

Me too!

I think the article is great. However, I'm not metabolically blessed like Alicia. I've definitely been more sedentary than is good for me the last few months; I can feel the difference. I work full-time, so fitting exercise in is tough ... so much easier to just log in (forums or SL) in the mornings. That has to stop. I'm going to try going cold turkey for a week or so, then come back with a little more balanced view.

Which means that finishing my little 4K SL home may not happen until Christmas, lol!

I've got a friend here who was hit by a truck while jogging. His neck was broken and now he has limited mobility in his arms, and none in his legs. He's slowly drowning as his lungs fill with fluids. But guess what? In SL he can dance and fly and make out with pretty girls. I'd say that for people like this, SL might be a godsend.

Absolutely, Lucrezia -- and I apologize for seeming insensitive.

The greatest thing about SL is it allows you to be whatever you can make of yourself. I LOVE that aspect of SL, and it's why I don't get hung up on "are you the same in RL as SL" issues.

Lucky you! I'm lucky too in that respect: 6'1", 170 lbs, at 50 yrs and still windsurfing on days when mothers take their kids inside for fear of the weather. But I sit far too much with too little exercise and while I may look healthy, my cardiovascular system suffers (and I sure can tell on those windy days!)

SL is great -- just remember to do all you can to stay physically fit as well, because you'll enjoy both RL and SL more when you're as healthy as you can be.

I'm starting an exercise regimen yet again; hopefully this one will last. It's a constant challenge but the rewards far outweigh the effort. And it doesn't take 'burn' or incredible effort, just consistency, and it sure helps if it involves activities you enjoy.

Speaking of exercise, I even gave a thought to buying a $30 Dance Pad (PC Version), like used for games such as Dance Dance Revolution, and using it as a controller.

Great article.

For me, SL is good for my mental health!! It would be just a bit unrealisitic for me to drive a tank and tote dual holstered 9mm, oh no wait, I am in Texas- so not that unrealistic.

Speaking of tanks... wouldn't it be interesting if the US Military enabled/encouraged soldiers to use SL to deal with their frustrations with the war? I mean, imagine some weary Army guys being able to log in and not deal with the war for a few hours... might be nice... a way to escape reality for a bit. Just a thought.

Why not, if the terrorists are allegedly using SL........

How many shotgun racks can you put on the side of a tank anyway?

I think it's wonderful this aspect is getting press...

the beauty of virtual worlds is that you lose most of the predjudices or perceptions that might afflict your normal life. everybody can be just about anything they desire, and since there is little prejudgment in the environment there is more of a sense of belonging.

the other big aspect is the lack of severe reprecussions for disclosure... If I have a personal problem, it doesn't show on the surface, I can still get to know you, and after you've known me, and I tell you, your reaction is more likely to be sympathy for a friend, rather than IRL where I might be written off before you got to know me. and if a person in SL can't deal with it, what's the worst they can or might do? not talk to me? maybe harrass me and get AR'd? IRL those prejudices can lead to loss of jobs, social outcasting, and real physical harm....

and we all know that having friends to support us and cheer us on is always nice...

heavens know I've benefitted!