Playing poker is considered good for your health. It increases blood flow, boosts brain function and improves concentration. These benefits mean that poker can be beneficial for everyone. Read on to learn more about some of the reasons you should consider starting to play poker.
Improves Brain Function
Poker may help improve your ability to concentrate by increasing the blood flow through a part of the brain called the hippocampus. This area of the brain controls memory formation and retrieval. When we are concentrating hard on something it helps to have a lot of blood flowing through this area of the brain. By playing poker you will increase the level of activity in your hippocampus which could lead to an improvement in your memory abilities.
Boosts Blood Flow
Another reason why you should consider playing poker is that it increases your blood flow. In our bodies, many things regulate how much blood flows into different parts of our body including our brains. When we exercise or are stressed our blood pressure rises and as a result, less blood gets pumped around our body. At times like these, our heart rate also drops so our heart has to work harder to pump enough blood around our muscles and other organs. However, when you decide to play poker, you put yourself under stress. The increased blood flow means that you have more blood going around your body than before you started playing poker. As a result, your heart doesn’t need to beat any faster and your heart rate remains steady throughout the game.
Helps with Concentration
Concentrating on what you do while playing poker is very important to win. It isn’t just about knowing all the rules and strategies – you must also focus on every single hand you get dealt with. Having a clear mind can give you better odds of winning. If you don’t concentrate then you are likely to make mistakes and lose games. Also if you aren’t thinking chances are you won’t realize when you are bluffing someone or getting too emotional at the table.
Good for Your Overall Health
When you start playing poker you are putting yourself under stress. Stress affects us mentally, emotionally, physically and even spiritually. The effects of stress on your overall well-being are similar to those of smoking cigarettes. There are physical changes that occur such as high blood pressure, heart problems and weight gain. Some people experience headaches, mood swings, insomnia, irritability and anxiety. Another thing that happens is that your immune system becomes weaker. All of this leads to a greater risk of illness and disease.
Promotes Social Interaction
If you enjoy socializing then you are probably already aware of how great it feels to hang out with friends. Playing poker gives you the chance to relax with friends, laugh together and feel happy. You don’t feel pressured to talk about anything serious, instead, you can chat freely about fun topics.
It Doesn’t Require Much Time
When you first start playing poker you might think that it takes hours of practice to become proficient. This couldn’t be further from the truth! While it does take time to get good at poker you won’t need to spend days practicing Most players who compete in online tournaments have played for only a few months before they became skilled enough to consistently place top 3 or 4 in their events. The key to becoming a successful player is to always keep learning new tricks and tips.
Can Help Increase Income Potential
One of the best reasons to start playing poker is because it can help you earn money. Whether you want to quit your job and go full-time or you simply want extra cash for spending, playing poker is one way to achieve both goals.
Lots of Fun
There are various types of poker games and each type provides its unique advantages. One of the most popular forms of poker is Texas Hold’em where two or three players sit across a table from each other and try to make the best five-card hand possible by using cards provided by the dealer. These hands are compared against each other and based on the highest-ranking hand wins the pot.
Helps Build Confidence
Playing poker allows you to express your personality without having to worry about what others may say or do. As you play more you will notice that no matter how much money you lose you still feel good about yourself. Your confidence level increases as you win and lose.
Provides Entertainment
Learning a skill is always entertaining whether you use it to benefit yourself or not. So if you love watching TV shows or movies or even listening to music then why not add poker to your repertoire?
Easy To Learn
The number one reason to choose poker over sports is that you don’t have to be very athletic. All you need is a brain and a deck of cards. There are dozens of instructional videos available on YouTube that teach you everything you need to know.
The Bottom Line.
Poker is fun, simple and easy to learn. If you’re looking for a great new hobby that helps you relax while meeting new people then this should be on your list.
