Whether we’re talking about eating, drinking, exercising or gambling, the rule of thumb is generally “all things in moderation.” Overindulgence in any activity is not part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. But what constitutes balance?
The answer is a combination of things that all need to be factored into your daily, weekly or monthly routine. We know that the best online casino is an exciting place to hang out and play your favorite games, but from time to time, you have to log out and do something else. But like what?
Eat a Healthy Diet
We’re not going to tell you what to eat and what not to eat, but taking some time out from gaming online to prepare a freshly cooked meal is both distracting and good for you. Eating well means including all the different food types (unless advised otherwise by your doctor) and staying well hydrated. And well-hydrated doesn’t include the alcohol that some believe accompanies a gambling lifestyle – it means drinking plenty of water. Eating regular meals at regular times can be built into your day and if snacking is your thing while you’re playing online, try to keep some healthy snacks like fruit and nuts at hand.
Get Some Exercise
Take time to move your body. First prize is getting out into the fresh air for a walk or a run. The dog will thank you, too. If you have a gym subscription, then use it. Go to classes or just go and pump some iron and work off some pent-up energy. Gambling is a sedentary pastime and needs some physical activity to provide that balance we’re looking for.
Spend Time With Friends and Family
It’s easy when you’re on a roll to closet yourself away and convince yourself that playing live dealer online casino games is all the human interaction you need. You might even be playing competitively with other people, but it’s not the same as being in a social situation with friends and family. Regular interaction with other people has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression and stress, so it’s good to get out once in a while.
Schedule regular family time. Shoot hoops with the kids or kick a ball and combine social time with physical activity. And don’t neglect your partner. Go out on a date night or join in group activities, like social sports, amateur dramatics or even a book club. Whatever other interests you have, pursue them.
Keep a Routine
Establishing a routine helps in managing how much time you spend online and in cultivating healthy gaming habits. This means setting time aside to eat regularly, to exercise and to spend time with other people. Set a regular bedtime and get enough hours of sleep to suit your body. Routines create balance and structure and make us more productive. They save us time planning and procrastinating. You can always set alarms and reminders to break your days and evenings up into activity slots so you achieve that all-important healthy life balance.
Take Breaks
Even within your allotted gaming time, take a break now and again and flex your muscles. Stretch out. There are lots of exercises you can do sitting down, but your brain also needs a break. Breaks relieve stress and restore energy. Play some music, read the paper and watch some TV (although taking some time out from the screen is a good idea.)
Sound & Vision
We need to know how to stay healthy while gaming and this means starting by looking at your health while playing online. Poor lighting can put a strain on your eyesight, so adjust the lighting at your desk or wherever you like to game. And sitting for hours can also cause poor posture, so ensure that your chair is adjusted for the best back support.
Keep it Fun
Gaming is fun and that’s the way it should stay. It’s important that we remember that we should be playing for pleasure, watching out for compulsive behavior patterns and incorporating all the elements we have spoken about in our daily lives. That’s not to say we can’t always give our best to the game and work hard at being a better poker player, for example, but not to the exclusion of everything else. Life is about keeping a balance between the mind and the body.
Healthy Responsible Gambing at BetMGM
There is a correlation between gambling and mental health and when one begins to threaten the other, we need to take time out. Healthy gambling means you need to practice responsible gambling and if you believe you may have a problem, seek professional help.
BetMGM advocates for healthy, responsible gambling at all times and provides a vast range of casino table games and online slots that will challenge and entertain you. Register and join BetMGM online and make gaming a part of your well-balanced, fun lifestyle.
