When Thanksgiving rolls in, we have a chance to take a closer look at our lives and say thanks for all the good things we were blessed with. Learning how to express gratitude is important in all aspects of our lives, including when it comes to poker.
Being grateful for what you have, and being able to put it into words, can help you turn into a more centered and collected kind of player. And in the grand scheme of things, that's how you can win big while playing Everygame poker games!
Why exactly is it so important to be thankful in poker? How can it help you become a better player? And what – or who – should you be grateful for? Find out the answers to all these questions NOW!
Why Gratefulness is Important in Poker
Over the years, we've been led to believe that saying thank you is an act that only lasts a few minutes. Once you're done expressing your gratitude, it only takes a few minutes for you to move on with your life.
But apparently, gratitude has a lasting effect that can change your life for the better, affecting the way you act at the poker table. Studies have shown that various gratitude interventions can increase positive affect (the extent to which a person experiences positive feelings like joy, alertness, etc.) and reduce symptoms of depression.
As you already know, online poker puts you through an emotional rollercoaster. You will have many exciting highs, and just as many lows. If you can't remain happy and positive while the game unfolds, the drastic change in your emotional state might prove to be too much, and you won't be able to make rational decisions any longer.
In addition to that, multiple studies discovered that grateful people experience less pain and are generally healthier. Since poker players might find themselves seated at the tables for hours on end, which is generally considered unhealthy, they must take excellent care of their physical and mental states. The better your health is, the less you need to worry about distractions, thus being able to focus on placing bets.
Last but not least, being grateful allows you to keep an open mind as you interact with fellow players, remain humble, and learn from each and every pro you encounter. Adopting this kind of mindset will allow you to make friends easier. Therefore, you will be able to immerse yourself in the poker community as fast as possible, creating the support system you might need to hone your skills and get better at the game.
Gratitude Techniques
Remaining grateful is not easy, especially if you face challenging and unpredictable situations. But if you practice gratitude constantly, you might be able to overcome any issue you might face at the poker table and in life in general.
Here are a few things you can do to make sure you're grateful this holiday season:
- Keep a gratitude journal – Every day, write down a list of at least 3 things you are grateful for in your life. If you want to keep a positive attitude while playing the game you love, make sure that at least one of the items on your list is poker-related!
- Share your gratitude with others – Nothing can strengthen relationships better than a dose of gratitude. Tell your family, friends, or fellow players that you are happy to have them in your life – and you will be much better for it.
- Remember the bad – Sometimes, we appreciate the good we have only after a bad experience. And that's normal! If you want to be happy even with the smallest poker wins, try to remember previous losses and put everything into perspective.
In Conclusion
Don't wait for Thanksgiving to say thanks: thanks for the people in your life, thanks for the ability to play the game you love, and so much more!