When you think of a poker player, the first thought that many people have is that of a person who is a night owl, drinking liquor or smoking and eating unhealthy things.
Although poker has some “marathons” or long sessions where mental exhaustion can push more than one player to fall into unhealthy habits, the truth is that many professional players have healthy habits.
Healthy habits
Different healthy habits can improve a poker player’s performance. Below, we mention the most prominent ones:
Exercise
Many professional players exercise regularly since exercise directly influences the mental part, improving concentration and helping to control emotions. Among the main types of exercise are strengthening (weight lifting) and endurance (running); however, there are also balance and flexibility exercises.
Food
Another point to consider is diet, which is critical to good performance at the gaming table. For example, many players avoid alcoholic beverages, sugars, fats, and red meat. Some players consume lots of fruits and vegetables, slow-absorption carbohydrates such as oatmeal or whole grains, lean proteins such as fish, and good fats such as omega-3. This helps players have energy and maintain focus during long games.
Sleep
Sleep is also an essential factor for professional poker players. Getting a good night’s sleep is non-negotiable for an advanced poker player. If we do not get enough sleep, we will be more irritable, our ability to concentrate will decrease, and sometimes, we will not be able to think clearly. If a player gets “frustrated,” he will make bad decisions, which will result in big losses. Because of this, many professional players sleep between 7 and 9 hours daily.
Meditation and yoga
Other professional players also practice yoga to gain flexibility, relax, and improve their focus. Meditation and mindfulness have gained ground among many professional players, as they are effective tools for keeping calm in the midst of chaos and controlling our emotions when things go wrong. Maintaining control in those tense moments can mean the difference between winning and losing.
Unhealthy habits
Now, although some players take care of themselves as athletes, other players (usually beginners) have unhealthy habits. However, we will realize that many of these habits correspond to poker players and are part of the daily lives of many people from different environments. Below, we will see the most common unhealthy habits:
Sedentary lifestyle
Many gamblers and people generally do not exercise and lead a sedentary lifestyle. This is a severe problem that can cause multiple health problems. In the case of poker, not exercising can cause a player’s mental performance to drop considerably.
Poor nutrition
The other problem is poor nutrition. Fast food is the easiest thing to get when we are in the middle of a tournament or a long session. For example, many beginner players are surrounded by cans of energy drinks, French fries, and junk food. The bad thing is that these “snacks” are unhealthy and considerably decrease our energy.
Few hours of sleep
Sleep is also a difficult subject for many gamers and people in general. Playing for several hours at night or participating in games/events that last longer than they should will affect our sleep patterns, causing us to sleep fewer hours. When we lack sleep, we make mistakes, lose concentration, and, worst of all, become more irritable. And we already know that, in poker, a bad day can cost us a fortune.
Alcohol
Alcohol is common in many poker rooms. While not all players drink alcohol, the “environment” can often encourage some people to drink to excess. Alcohol can negatively affect a player in many ways: impaired judgment, reduced concentration, overestimation of skills, lack of control of emotions, slower pace of play, and loss of control over bankroll.
Finding the balance
The funny thing is that most players need to start out taking care of themselves as if they were elite athletes. Many beginner players spend long hours playing (at irregular hours), sleep little, drink a lot of alcohol, and consume junk food. However, over time, the body and mind begin to take their toll: The player gets tired faster, his concentration decreases, and he begins to make more mistakes.
It is at this point when many players begin to adjust their habits since they have already felt “in the flesh” what it is like to make mistakes and lose money for not being 100%. In the end, they understand that if they do not take care of their health, they will not be able to advance in this area. The people who manage to find the balance between play, self-care, work, and family are the ones who really stand out and enjoy the journey.
What do you think about this topic? Do you think most poker players have unhealthy habits?
If you want to find the best platform to play poker online, visit the following link to contact us.
