Playing online poker games can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience. With more and more poker sites popping up daily, players can play poker online more often.
Unfortunately, the convenience online poker brings comes with some hurdles players need to overcome. One of these is the real possibility of burnout.
Burnout occurs when a person becomes overwhelmed by their activities, resulting in exhaustion and lack of motivation. Fortunately, experts use a few key strategies to avoid feeling burned out while playing poker.
This article will dive into burnout, its causes, and how experts deal with this destructive emotion.
What Does It Mean When Youโre Burned Out Playing Poker?
In any game or sport, it’s normal for players to feel tired or stressed occasionally. However, if you’re starting to feel disinterest, lack of motivation, or, worst, exhaustion, then you may be experiencing burnout.
The World Health Organization recognizes burnout as a syndrome that stems from the failure to manage constant and consistent stress. According to the organization, burnout has three dimensions: reduced productivity, energy depletion, and mental distancing from the tasks or negative feelings towards one’s career.
Burnout in poker is a recurring issue, as the game can be pretty challenging. Moreover, if you decide to go pro, you must recognize the signs of burnout before they affect your performance in any poker session.
What are the Causes of Burnout in Online Poker?
The online poker world may provide conveniences traditional poker cannot, but several factors still contribute to poker burnout. Here are some of the most common causes of burnout among online poker players:
Long Training Hours
As an online poker player, you understand the importance of practicing and honing your skills to succeed. However, dedicating long hours to training might seem like the best approach. Unfortunately, this can lead to burnout and negatively impact your overall performance.
The intense mental effort required for prolonged periods can cause fatigue, lack of motivation, and irritability. In the long run, these symptoms can multiply and jeopardize your love for the game.
String of Losses
We’ve all experienced a losing streak in online poker, but did you know it could lead to burnout? Your confidence and motivation can take a hit as you play and lose. You may start to doubt your skills or question if luck is not on your side.
The decrease in morale can lead to a lack of enthusiasm for the game, making it harder to stay focused and motivated to continue playing. Burnout becomes a real possibility as stress and frustration continue to mount.
Unhealthy Lifestyle
Burnout is a common issue for players who lead unhealthy lifestyles. Whether it’s from constantly sitting for extended periods, snacking on junk food, or not getting enough sleep, all of these factors can contribute to burnout.
Your body and mind require proper nutrition, exercise, and rest to function at their best, and online poker demands high concentration and focus. By neglecting your basic needs, you’ll likely experience burnout earlier, and your performance in the game may suffer.
Pressure of Perfection
When it comes to online poker, you’ve probably heard about the importance of aiming for perfection. Whether itโs perfecting poker hands, or refining gameplays. However, the pressure of perfection can easily take a toll on even the most seasoned players.
The constant drive to win every hand, to outdo the competition, and to prove oneself can lead to an overwhelming feeling of burnout. The more you play, the more you need to meet your expectations, which can rapidly become out of hand.
This does not imply that striving for perfection is wrong, but it can be detrimental to your mental health and overall well-being if it becomes an obsession.
How Do Champions Reverse Burnouts?
Reversing your burnout requires more than just taking a break from the game. It is crucial to identify what caused the burnout first and then find ways to address it. Here are some tips that experts suggest to reverse poker burnout:
Take a Detox From Poker
This doesn’t necessarily mean quitting poker entirely. Taking a detox from playing poker online means taking an extended break from the game and focusing on other activities to help you relax. This could be anything from taking a vacation or trying out a new hobby that doesn’t involve gaming.
It is essential to take this time off to restore your mental and physical health and give your mind a break from the constant pressure of playing poker.
Adjust Your Schedule
When struggling with burnout, adjusting your schedule is essential. This prevents you from overwhelming yourself with too many tasks all at once.
If you’ve been pushing yourself too hard for too long, try setting a realistic timetable that includes rest periods throughout the week. This will give you more energy and motivation when it comes.
Readjust Your Expectations to Realistic Ones
Sometimes, burnout can be caused by high expectations of yourself or the need to keep up with other players. It’s vital to remember that there are no overnight successes in poker and that building a great career requires time and patience.
By readjusting your expectations, you’ll give yourself more room for error and allow some breathing space from the pressure of playing online poker.
Make Positive Lifestyle Changes
Since burnout often results from unhealthy lifestyle habits, making positive changes is essential. This could involve getting better sleep, eating healthier, and exercising more. Not only will these things help improve your physical health but also your mental state of being.
Additionally, these activities can help take your mind off poker and allow you to recharge and refocus on the game with renewed energy.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a champion at poker is no easy feat. The long hours, high stakes, and constant pressure can take a toll on even the most experienced players. The risk of burnout is genuine and can have serious consequences.
Fortunately, there are some strategies that players can employ to reverse their burnout and restore their enthusiasm for the game. By taking breaks, readjusting expectations, and making positive lifestyle changes, you can maintain your focus and stay motivated to keep playing.
With the right attitude and dedication, being a champion at poker is within reach.
