5 Ways to Take Your Thoughts off Poker and Rest

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Poker is one of the most interesting and rewarding games. What makes it so interesting is that no one, no matter how good, is guaranteed to win in a single match.

At the same time, it’s very rewarding because those who do work hard to become good can expect to win a lot of money in the long run.

But playing poker seriously can be very exhausting. Most professional players spend a vast majority of their time either playing or thinking about the game.

Everybody, including professional poker players, deserves and needs to take a break every now and again to recharge their batteries and keep the passion alive. In this article, we will discuss five efficient ways to take your mind off poker and get some much-needed rest.

Engage in your favorite sports

One of the best ways to get your thoughts off poker and rest is by engaging in your favorite sports. You don't have to be a good player to do this.

Anyone can participate in their favorite sport and have fun. This is a great way to get your thoughts off poker and get the much-needed rest. Research has shown that practicing sports can help fight depression, anxiety, and addiction.

The byproduct of this is that it will help you get in better physical shape and actually contribute to improving your results on the felt. Long poker sessions require your mind and body to be in sync, and regular physical activity will go a long way towards achieving this goal.

It will also help you sleep better, which is good for your mind. Ideally, you always want to play your sessions when feeling fully rested, and that’s hard to accomplish if you have trouble sleeping.

Take a vacation

Another great way to clear your thoughts and rest is by taking a vacation. Research has shown that people who take vacations have lower stress levels, are less likely to suffer from addiction or obsession towards something, have a better outlook towards life, and are more motivated to achieve their goals.

A vacation does not necessarily mean you have to go to a different country or spend a lot of money. If you are on a tight budget, you can arrange something simple but fun like hiking or camping with your friends.

This will remove you from the activities and environments you are used to and allow you to discover new things, which can help take your thoughts off poker. A good vacation will also give your brain the rest it deserves.

It’s not always easy for poker players to do this as you’re always tempted to take your laptop with you so you could play just a “few” poker hands here and there. But, give it a try. Poker will still be there when you come back, promise.

Hang out with (non-poker) friends

Something as simple as talking to a friend can help take your thoughts off poker. However, you need to be careful here because not all friends can make you stop thinking about something that you love and are passionate about.

You might have a lot of poker buddies that you hang out with regularly. You go over hands, talk about bad beats, and come up with new strategies.

But, you need some friends outside of the poker world as well to help you chill and unwind.

Spend some time with people that you share other common interests with, whatever they might be. Even a casual conversation about some general topics will steer your thoughts away from the last session and give your brain the much-needed rest.

Don't feel bad about doing this. No matter how much you love the game and want to become a better player, you deserve and need to have other things in your life. Otherwise, you're risking burnout, which is one of the worst things that can happen if you have big plans for the future.

Unwind With Some Light Casino Action

Poker players often spend a lot of time inside casinos, and many avoid other games, which is a good thing. However, every now and again, you can afford some light casino action to give your brain something other than poker to think about.

Many casino games do not require much mental effort, so that you can tackle them in a much more relaxed way.

You can use this method to unwind even if you’re an online player. You already have a computer and internet access, and you can use a site like rnpcasino.com to figure out what online casino to choose.

Of course, gambling should always be approached with a healthy degree of caution. You should see it as a fun activity that you use to have fun and relax because, unlike poker, most casino games simply aren’t +EV.

Go out and have fun

Staying in your house or office the whole day can make you think about poker all day. To avoid this, you need to do the opposite and get out.

Go out to watch your favorite football team play or to the beach to have some fun. Check out the latest movie at the cinema.

It doesn’t really matter, as long as you change the environment and do something you enjoy.

Going out will help distract your mind and take your thoughts off poker. When you eventually go back to playing or studying, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to take on whatever comes your way.

In conclusion, taking your mind off poker for a while will not only help enhance your health and well-being but will also make you a better player.

Your first instinct may tell you that you should spend as much time as you can playing and studying poker, but if you don't have a good balance in life, your passion for the game can easily become extinguished.

You don't have to spend every minute of your days grinding or browsing poker training sites – it’s fine to take it easy every now and then.