A new year means brand new resolutions. What do you wish to focus on in 2023? Improving your poker technique? Or maybe getting out of the box and joining new events and tournaments? No matter what your New Year's resolutions are, you should add one more to the list: maintaining your health as you play poker online.
Most people think of their diet and exercise program when they think of health, but there is one more thing you might forget to take into account: the sedentary lifestyle. What does it mean? Why should you even care how long you sit around as you place real money bets? Find out more about how you can improve your health simply by sitting less!
The Effects of a Sedentary Lifestyle
When we're talking about sedentary behavior, scientific literature defines it as an activity that involves sitting, reclining, or lying down – all of which require low energy expenditure. Studies have shown that the average American adult spends about 55% of his day in a sedentary position.
But why is it so bad? Well, first of all, those who spend so much time sitting down can't possibly meet the World Health Organization's guidelines for physical activity. It is recommended for adults to engage in 150-300 minutes of aerobic activity every week, in addition to participating in 2-3 strengthening sessions.
That means we're supposed to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, which is a goal not many of us achieve – especially if we spend most of the day sitting down in front of the computer.
However, the dangers of sedentary behavior run much deeper than not meeting general exercise guidelines. According to studies, those who lead a sedentary lifestyle have increased chances of cardiovascular disease mortality and are at greater risk of suffering from diabetes, cancer, hypertension, osteoporosis, and more.
Taking all of that into account, many experts believe that it is more crucial to avoid a sedentary lifestyle than actively exercising.
Health Tips for Poker players
Now that you know how important it is to avoid sitting around for hours on end, what can you do? Whether you want to play poker live or online, you are bound to find yourself stuck in the chair for long stretches of time.
Here are a few tips that might help you stay a bit more active throughout the day:
- Set a reminder to stand up and walk around every 30 minutes or so.
- Invest in a standing desk.
- Switch your chair for an exercise ball, so you might be able to move around while sitting as well.
- Spend more time doing chores around the house.
- Try to walk to close locations instead of driving or take the stairs instead of the elevator when possible.
- If you play poker on your phone, you can try to walk around while placing bets.
- Find the type of exercise you might enjoy, so you will be able to stick to it and not give up on exercising after a week or two.
- Take a walk or do a few exercises when you're taking a break from the game.
In Conclusion
Playing poker professionally can be hard on your mind and body if you don't take care of yourself properly. So, take the time to figure out how to maintain your health while enjoying the game. That way, you might be able to place online bets with minimal worry and maximum efficiency!