Okay I been playing poker a long long time just for fun and to enjoy it. I am 50 years old but I am pretty physically fit. I was in the military and they kept us in pretty good shape. I noticed lately I have been getting burned out after a long MTT. It's not like I'm doing anything physical but it is taking it's toll. My wife says that playing poker releases chemicals into your body when you are in tense moments of the game. She also says that these chemicals are addicting and you will go through withdraws if you do not get THE RUSH that playing poker gives you.
Any thoughts on this?
I am 51 years old and retired 7 years. My daughter told me the same thing almost verbatim, and she is a nurse.
I have been playing poker, going on 4 years, I believe. I don't want to be addicted, so I make sure my 3 mile walk and 1/2 hour of floor exercises get done at least 5 times a week. I also try to spend quality family time with many people. But poker is time consuming, as is golf(I mention golf as I promised myself to never play golf until I reach age 62). To get good at most things take monumental amounts of time. I let my friends and family know that poker is my side job that gives me money, just as their jobs earn them money to buy the things they want.
The stress levels and release of chemicals in reaction to situations in poker feels the same as when I was a computer programmer. Stressful, provided satisfaction, and provided me an opportunity to earn some money. Only differences are when I was a programmer, I did not often make time for exercising. And with poker, I can be around family while working it.
Remember, everything in life, in moderation.
