Poker and your health

[CourtesyFlush]

To those who play full time or close to full time, do you find yourself under a lot of stress to perform well? Do you find that you have more stress since you have started playing poker full time, compared to when you had other jobs? If so, has anyone noticed higher blood pressure or other health related issues since going pro?

CF

[nmt09]

I'm not a pro but I am stuck to my computer all day and that alone could cause health problems. My eyes are getting worse and I get back pains from sitting for long periods of time.

[sammysusar]

essentially if you just beleive poker to be a series of decisions and you dont worru about short term results it should not be very stressful. plus it beats havimg a job. only basic problem is too much time alone behind a computer. but if you can find some other interesting stuff to do outside of poker should not be streesful.

[Boris]

Almost everyone who plays any significant amount of poker will battle a weight problem at some time. That is probably the biggest threat to your health.

[Felix_Nietsche]

I find I play better poker when I make time to exercise.

[jquattro]

Make time for exercise and entertaining yourself.
Whether your a pro and play 8 hours a day or a semi pro playing a few hours a day, make time to get in even the simplest exercise. I go to my university and play ping pong or squash for a few hours.
On weekends go out and talk to people, get drunk, see a movie, play mini golf...just get out.

You get to live the great life of a poker player, and stay healthy and sociable.

[JonPKibble]

[ QUOTE ]
Almost everyone who plays any significant amount of poker will battle a weight problem at some time. That is probably the biggest threat to your health.

[/ QUOTE ]

What about white collar desk jobs? Is this really much different?

Easy solution- have a daily exercise routine.

[boedeker]

after losing 12k in 5 days i woke up in the middle of the night, and had a panic attack. a week later i had a panic attack in the middle of a movie in a theater (probably the scariest experience of my life, called an ambulance et al.)

i took a break for almost a month and now work out daily and am very careful about what and when i play and how it is affecting me mentally, even if i dont think it is on the surface.

if anyone else is having problems feel free to message me and i will help you as best i can.

[housenuts]

[ QUOTE ]
I go to my university and play ping pong or squash for a few hours.

[/ QUOTE ]

what an excruciating workout!

ping pong is fun though

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I go to my university and play ping pong or squash for a few hours.

[/ QUOTE ]

what an excruciating workout!

ping pong is fun though

[/ QUOTE ]

Squash (I actually play Racquetball) can be quite a workout if you have a capable opponent and play several matches.