Tips from the Gen Con Staff for Taking Good Care of Yourself at the Con
Practice Good Hygiene
Wash your hands with soap and warm water frequently.
Kelsey’s Fun Tip: You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds! Try singing the A-B-C’s in your head or, if you’re a complete nerd, the lyrics to Flood by They Might Be Giants!
Carry hand sanitizer and use it before and after gaming events, eating, or when coming into contact with new and old friends.
Shower daily!
Kelsey’s Fun Tip: A daily shower is a great time to check in with yourself and how you’re feeling physically and mentally – plus no one can yell at you for using the all the hot water! A bonus!
Get Some Rest
Use the Quiet Room to unwind in between events.
Kelsey’s Fun Tips: You can find it at Room 211 in the Convention Center. Schedule in some stops for yourself to check in with your brain and your body!
Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Plan breaks in your schedule to get outside for some fresh air and sunshine to recharge.
Enjoy a mask break in Hall K to eat, hydrate, and rest your feet.
Nutrition Matters
Hydration is key! Prioritize water over sugary energy drinks to avoid the crash.
Kelsey’s Fun Tips: Make a DARK HYDRATION PACT with your friends! If one of them tells you to drink some water and you don’t remember the last time you did, you drink.
Plan your meal breaks to avoid being a hangry gamer! Include protein and whole foods to sustain energy levels all weekend long.
Bring healthy snacks when you’re on the go. Pack an apple or banana, nuts, protein bars, granola packets, or jerky when you need to fuel up but are short on time and on the move.
Plan Ahead
Wear comfortable shoes, and if they’re new, break them in before the show for maximum comfort and support.
Bring a water bottle to refill throughout the day.
Wear or bring an extra layer. Temperatures in the ICC can vary from space to space!
Don’t forget to wear a mask, and stash an extra in your backpack in case you lose or forget one. Masks are required in all areas of the con, with the exception while eating and drinking at a designated table in Hall K.
Kelsey’s Fun Tips: Don’t forget to bring a mask if you’re cosplaying as well! What kind of mask would your character wear?
Get vaccinated. The vaccines are the best defense against contracting or spreading COVID-19. Gen Con encourages all attendees to get vaccinated before attending.
Add your phone number to your Gen Con profile now. In the event that health authorities or staff need to implement contract tracing, this will be the most efficient way to alert you.
Check In With Yourself
Each morning, check in with your body and your health. If you have any of the below symptoms (that can’t be attributed to another condition) please get tested for COVID before entering the show:
This may be the first time you and others are around groups of people again and it may feel different or scary. Don’t push yourself and look out for your fellow attendees who may be struggling too.
Know the signs for anxiety. Is your heart or mind racing? Feeling cold or clammy? Sometimes anxiety can catch us off guard when we’re in a new experience. If you’re feeling strange, talk to a friend, take a break in the Quiet Room, or rest in your hotel. The convention will still be there afterward!
Is someone you’re talking to, acting in a way that seems irritated or a little off? Check in with them to see if they’re okay. It’s been a while since we’ve all been together and interacting again might take some practice – be kind!
Remember: you never know who is sitting with you at a table. Choose empathy and kindness when you game with new friends.
