How To Be Proactive, Not Reactive When Managing Emotions At The Table
Your emotions don’t just appear out of nowhere.
Playing poker makes it easy to miss the subtle build-up of emotions.
Before you know where you are, they're affecting your decision-making.
The key is to be proactive in managing them before they take control.
One of the most effective ways to do this independently is to focus on breathing and correct your posture while playing.
Here are 3 reasons why you should focus on your breathing:
Calms the mind
Steady breathing helps slow down racing thoughts and nervous energy.
Reduces stress
Deep breathing activates the body's relaxation response. This reduces the impact of stress on your play.
Increases focus
It brings your attention back to the present moment. This helps you stay sharp and make better decisions.
Correcting your posture acts as a "pattern interrupt" to emotional build-up and also:
Improves blood flow
Better posture encourages proper circulation. This ensures more oxygen reaches the brain.
Enhances clarity: With more oxygen to your brain, you’ll experience sharper thinking. Also, you'll have better emotional regulation.
For live players, focusing on your breathing and adjusting your posture at the start of each hand is a great way to get the habit going.
Online players can use a similar approach. I'd recommend picking one of your tables and doing the same routine before every hand begins.
Stay proactive with your mind and body to manage your emotions and elevate your poker game.
I hope this helps.
Catch up soon,
Alex
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