To all the extremely dedicated poker players out there, when was the last time you stopped to examine your priorities when it came to poker? Playing poker, like many other forms of gambling, can be all-consuming, monopolizing most of your spare time and taking over most of your waking thoughts.
The fact that you love the game is admirable, as your passion and dedication will surely get you far. However, it is still important to have a healthy poker\life balance so you will be able to enjoy a career in poker without suffering the negative effects of gambling.
But how do you know whether your relationship with the game is a healthy one? And what are the most important things to remember if you want to smartly balance your responsibilities and poker?
What Does it Mean to Have a Healthy Poker\Life Balance?
If you've been playing poker for a while, you must ask yourself some serious questions: how does the game affect my life? Does it have a positive influence on me? Or do I suffer from some negative consequences?
When you have a good poker\life balance, you will find that everything in your life works harmoniously. You perform well at work while enjoying poker in your spare time, there is still enough time left for you to spend some quality time with family and friends, etc.
However, if something disturbs this harmony, you will notice some red flags that should stop you in your tracks and make you reevaluate your life. If you start being dishonest about your poker endeavors – lying about losing or how much time you spend at the tables – it is not a good sign.
Also, if you start feeling more irritable, jealous, and bad-tempered during or after a poker session, this is another major red flag. Last but not least, if there is a decline in your physical or mental health due to poker-induced stress – that means you must change your relationship with poker.
How to Maintain a Healthy Relationship with Poker
Instead of reaching your breaking point and letting poker affect your life negatively, strive to maintain a healthy relationship with the game from the get-go. Here are a few ideas that might help you:
- Take breaks – Allow yourself to unwind and clear your mind as you play poker to allow yourself to focus and remain composed. If you plan on playing for a few hours straight, make sure to take a breather every hour or so. Also, you should take a longer break from the game every couple of months by stepping away from the tables for a week or two. Taking a break is important if you want to keep your priorities straight, especially if you've had a bad run at the tables and you want to stop yourself from tilting.
- Make time for friends and family – A good poker\life balance means that you don't spend ALL your free time on poker. You must make room for other important things in your life, the most crucial of all is spending time with loved ones.
- Manage your time properly - When you plan out your week, make sure that you pencil in a social event or spend some time enjoying another gobby. That will also give you a much-needed break from the game.
- Practice self-compassion – Yes, poker is an exhilarating game, but it can also be rather demanding. Sometimes, losing and generally not doing well at the tables can make your emotions spiral, thus affecting your ability to make rational decisions. Do not to let those feelings control your life. Give yourself a break even when things don't go your way, and practice self-compassion whenever possible. That way, you will be able to look at poker as the exciting game it is instead of dreading the negativity it might bring into your life.
Play Poker & Be Happy!
Playing poker can be a truly amazing experience – if you manage to maintain a healthy poker\life balance. Make sure to practice a healthy lifestyle right from the start of your poker journey, and you will have a wonderful experience!