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Reducing Stress in Poker

Poker is a game of constant decisions and making constant decisions can be stressful. Poker players are often stressed out. This article will help you minimize that stress and get optimistic! As a poker player we suffer from stress on a daily basis. More likely, 80 percent of the time! It’s probably because unlike other jobs, you have to make financial decisions every minute or every other second.

“People working in stock markets are more stressed due the long hours they work and the massive financial decisions they have to make.” That’s what we hear and are led to believe. Actually it’s a lot harder for poker players because their decisions affect them directly as compared to a trader that is working for a company and dealing with other people’s money. There is always a paycheque coming for them, whereas for poker players, you have to win to get a paycheque…. Now that’s a lot of pressure!

There are four different categories that are the major signs of stress:

1. Cognitive

• Memory problems
• Inability to concentrate
• Poor Judgement
• Seeing only the negative
• Anxious or racing thoughts
• Constant worrying.

2. Emotional

• Moodiness
• Irritability or short temper
• Agitation, inability to relax
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Sense of loneliness and isolation
• Depression or general unhappiness

3. Physical

• Aches and pains
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Nausea, dizziness
• Chest pain
• Loss of sex drive
• Frequent colds

4. Behavioural

• Eating more or less
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Isolating yourself from others
• Procrastinating on neglecting responsibilities
• Using alcohol, cigarettes or drugs to relax
• Nervous habits such as twitches, nail biting or pacing.

Your own life problems can also result in stress. So make sure you are in the right head before sitting down at the table.

Stress Management

Below are some of the things you can try to reduce stress caused by poker. However, remember, different things work for different people. In this mix, look for what works best for you.

• Avoid people that stress you out.
• Have a nice working environment around you

Turn the TV off, turn the music on (if that calms you), have clean surroundings.

• Express your feelings

Talk to someone, write a journal, start a blog to vent your anger. It always feels good to get things off your chest.

• Look at the big picture

This is a lifelong game, a few downswings won’t affect your long run.

• Focus on the positives

Positive thinking is always going to help

• Exercise

This is probably one of the most important things one ca do. It clears your mind, gets you healthier, and what not. Try it!

• Make time for fun and relaxation

Don’t just sit in your room till your eyes start bleeding. Do things you enjoy, apart from poker. Simple things like walking, watching TV, calling a friend, socialising, seeing a movie, all of this will relax you and keep the pressure off for that day. Having an all-round healthier lifestyle will help you at the tables and improve your results. Sad but it’s true and is honestly that simple. IT’S BEEN PROVEN.

Keep reading GutshotMagazine.com for more ‘Poker Gyaan’ articles.

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