Everyone will agree that online poker can be fun, exciting, and unpredictable. But did you know that it can also serve as a stress reliever?
Poker, in general, is perceived as a high-stake game that requires a certain level of skill and lots of dedication on the player’s part. Unseasoned players might get spooked by how demanding the game seems to be, but the reality is completely different.
If you play poker online regularly, and you can handle yourself in all sorts of situations, you will be able to use the game as a way to get rid of stress and pent-up energy. And in these hard times, when the COVID-19 is spreading fast all over the world, there is nothing we need more than a simple way to relax.
As poker players have to stay at home due to mandatory isolation or self-quarantine, there is little to do other than worry about the uncertainty of the future. Playing online poker can help you take the edge off your anxiety and help you get through this dark period unscathed.
Poker as a Mean for Relaxation
So how does it work, exactly? How can poker help you unwind, you ask? Some will say that it all comes down to the fact that you direct all your focus to the task at hand (aka, winning the game), momentarily forgetting about all your troubles.
Others say that when playing poker online, you get to be a part of a community, as you discuss the game you love with other poker enthusiasts. In times when physically belonging to a community is not an option, the virtual equivalent will have to do.
But at the end of the day, it all boils down to the most basic biology. About a decade ago, a group of Canadian scientists studied the connection between online poker and cortisol.
Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by your body to help you react better in fight-or-flight situations (which are, by nature, stressful). High levels of cortisol, which are present when you’re constantly under pressure, can lead to various health-related issues, so it is important to control it as much as possible.
According to the study, poker players showed signs of decreased cortisol levels the more they lost themselves in the game. That serves to show that enjoying a good poker game can help you stay calm in times of duress.
In Conclusion
Playing poker might seem stress-inducing to some, but those who can immerse themselves in the game can reap the health-related benefits, in addition to staying calm even in the most unpredictable times.