It’s far to easy in modern life to neglect your mentalhealth. Everything from working long hours and staring at screens all day, to lack ofexercise and eating badly can not only darken your mood but weaken your brainpower. However, there are a number of ways in which you can give that vitalorgan a good workout.
People tend to focus on improving their physical health,as the negative effects are easier to see. But physical activity also providesa mental mood boost, which is why we feel better after a walk, a run, or a gameof tennis.
A great benefit of physical activity is that not only does ithelps you lose calories after a day of junk food but it gives your braintime some quiet time. To switch off from ‘work mode’ and stop running throughthe day’s events. But while this can help relieve stress, it doesn’t directlystimulate brain function. For that, you need to choose an appropriate mentalactivity.
One which is fun as well as mentally taxing is playingcard games. Whether it’s a solo game like Klondike or a group game of Poker, aquick game of cards can increase brain activity in a number of importantregions. Playing with friends also gives you a boost of dopamine which can liftyour mood and increase feelings of happiness.
Poker is a particularly good example of a brain-boostingcard game because it stimulates so many different brain functions. Fromstretching your memory to making quick mathematical calculations, advancedreasoning skills to reducing you chances of developing Alzheimer’s andDementia, picking up a poker habit could be one of the best things you do foryour brain.
How Playing Poker can Improve YourBrain
A game of poker requires your brain to be active, givingit a good work out as the rounds progress. Because games of poker can last forhours, you’ll be getting in a good mental session, rather than a short sprint.And this kind of extended mental exercise will help you to improve severalvital abilities.
Memory
To be successful at a competitive game of poker requiresyou to be able to remember many details at once. You need to remember how youropponents reacted to different hands in order to work out whether they’rebluffing. Watch out for any unusual behaviours and tactics which they have usedin previous rounds. And if any folding players revealed their hole cards,remembering what they were can help you to figure out what the remainingopponents might have.
A good memory is important not just for remembering whereyou left your keys, but keeping yourself organised and aware of scheduledevents. You are less likely to be caught unprepared by meetings etc if youremember they are coming and can easily relate remembered information to co-workers.
Calculations
Poker is all about maths, and while most of us havelittle occasion to do complicated calculations in our day to day lives, it’sactually really good exercise for your brain.
Sure, if you’re playing onlineyou can get help calculating odds in poker, but at the table it’s allgoing to have to happen in your head. Knowing how many cards will help you andhow many will help your opponents will let you know when to bet or fold. Sure,the outcomes sometimes go against the odds, but following them will still giveyou your best chance of winning.
Any activity which gets the brain working is good for itshealth, but working it in different ways helps to stimulate different areas.Just like you wouldn’t go to the gym and only work on your arms, combiningdifferent mental exercises is important for all-round development.
Regeneration
Just like muscles, if we don’t use our brain is growsweaker. A healthy, well-exercised brain will grow more neurons to keep itselfstrong. These neurons are important for transmitting information, connectionswhich can cause problems when they degenerate. By exercising your brain withregular games of poker, you are promoting the growth of new cells and stavingoff neurodegenerativediseases.
Socialisation
The social aspect of poker helps to stimulate the areasof the brain responsible for lowering stress and depressive feelings. Seriouspoker games might not have everyone chatting in a friendly manner, but gameswith friends or at a social group give plenty of opportunities to strike up aconversation. Talking face to face with another person also makes us feel happierand can also help to ward off memory loss.
Improved Sleep
Many people find it difficult to fall asleep at nightbecause their brains keep working. If you have a physically demanding day,you’ll probably find that your body is ready for sleep before your brain is.Playing poker tires out your mind much more than your body, which can greatlyimprove the ease with chich you fall asleep and the quality of the sleep thatyou get. Making sure your brain is properly tired out before bed is the bestway to rest properly.
Conclusion
Keeping you brain healthy is very important, especiallyin later life. Your brain is capable of growing new neurons and brain cells atany point, so don’t feel that your mental faculties peaked in your 20s. Thereare plenty of activities which help to stimulate your brain, but few offer asmany benefits as a game of cards; you get the benefits of social interaction aswell as mental stimulation, and it’s a fun way to spend an evening!
Why not organise a weekly poker night with friends? It’san enjoyable and inexpensive way to spend an evening, that is also good foryour mental health.