Integrating Wellness and Gambling: Mindful Practices for the Modern Bettor
Millennials are so much more mindful than the generations that came before them. While I mean this as a compliment, there is a little bit of resentment that my generation didn’t really buy into the whole self-care thing—we didn’t even know it was a thing. Would I be a less stressed person if it had been recognized? Probably not, but I’d have liked to have had the knowledge and the tools to try it out!
Anyway, we aren’t here to talk about my anxiety—we are here to talk about how mindfulness comes into the picture when it comes to online gambling. Those two things sound at odds, right? Like, how can you be chill when real money is at stake? But it can be done, and millennials are doing it. The conversation around gambling is shifting, and this change pertains to integrating wellness practices into gameplay.
Millennials are a generation of self-aware young adults who champion mental health and self-care, and as gambling becomes more popular and intertwined with daily life, especially now that it can be done at online casinos, there’s an increased interest in how mindfulness can actually positively transform the entire betting experience. Want to know some mindful practices for the modern bettor? Come with us, and we’ll tell you how to integrate wellness into your gambling!
Why Mix Wellness with Gambling?
As we said up top, the fusion of wellness and gambling does seem to be counterintuitive when you think about it. After all, gambling is mostly seen as a high-stress activity that is filled with real financial risks and uncertainty.
By incorporating mindfulness and wellness practices into gambling routines, bettors can manage any stress, better their decision-making skills, and keep their emotional and psychological balance in check.
For a lot of Millennials, gambling is not just a chance to win money; it’s also a super fun and entertaining way to take part in a stimulating activity. By using wellness techniques, gamblers can take on betting more consciously and responsibly, matching it up with their lifestyle goals that also revolve around mental health and well-being.
Mindfulness: A Game Changer
What is mindfulness? According to the American Psychological Association, “Mindfulness is awareness of one’s internal states and surroundings. Mindfulness can help people avoid destructive or automatic habits and responses by learning to observe their thoughts, emotions, and other present-moment experiences without judging or reacting to them.”
Basically, it’s the practice of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing, free from distraction or judgment, and you can let it sit next to you at the gambling table. Here’s how being mindful can change how you gamble:
- Better Decision-Making: Mindfulness will increase your focus and help prevent impulsive decisions, which is imperative in gambling—one hasty move, and you can lose a lot of money.
- Emotional Regulation: It helps in managing emotions and cutting back on feelings of frustration and anxiety, which are very common in high-stakes or intense casino games.
- More Enjoyment: By being present, players can enjoy the experience more, regardless of the outcome, which is on par with gambling’s entertainment value.
Practical Mindful Practices for Bettors
Integrating mindfulness into gambling doesn’t have to be a complicated thing, and you don’t have to chant “ommmmm” while you’re playing! Here are a few practical tips to get you on your way and into a mindful mindset!
- Meditative Moments: Before you fire up a casino app to start up a gambling session, take a few minutes to meditate. This will help clear your mind and prepare you psychologically, making you more calm and in control.
- Conscious Betting: Make it a habit to think consciously about each bet before placing it. Consider the risks as well as your current emotional state.
- Set Intentions, Not Just Limits: While it’s common advice to set limits on how much to bet, setting intentions about how to gamble can be equally important! Decide on what mindset you want to keep throughout whatever game you decide to play.
- Breathing Exercises: When the game gets tense, simple breathing exercises can help you remain calm so your decisions are made with a clear mind and not in the heat of the moment or in a panic.
- Post-Session Reflection: After gambling, take a few minutes to think about your gameplay. Reflect on your emotional and mental state, what went well, and what could go better or improved upon next time. Try to focus on the entire process rather than just on the outcome.
Mindful Apps and Resources
There are apps and resources that can support mindful gambling practices! These platforms, like Calm, offer guided meditations, habit trackers for gambling, and forums for sharing and swapping stories and experiences with other players that all contribute to a more mindful gambling routine.
I am a casual online gambler, so I tested out this whole mindfulness thing and integrated it into one of my betting sessions. I did a little meditation before opening the BetMGM casino app and then spun the slots on my favorite game. When things got tense, I tried doing a few breathing exercises during the games, and it did help! I found that not only was it less stressful and more fun, but my decision-making really did improve. I slowed down instead of being my usual impulsive self. Did this approach win me a heap of money? Nope! But it did make gambling more enjoyable, and I was relaxed instead of anxious.
What’s Next?
As gambling continues to be a popular pastime for Millennials, the integration of wellness practices into this space is likely to keep growing. Casinos and online platforms might even offer or promote resources to promote mindfulness and wellness, potentially including in-session reminders to take breathers or mindfulness breaks, just like they do with responsible gambling practices.
And in virtual reality (VR) gambling platforms, the possibilities for integrating wellness directly into the gaming environment are limitless. VR gambling joints could be designed with calming elements in mind, like virtual nature settings, which could go a long way in helping to maintain calm and focus during gameplay.
Final Thoughts
Integrating wellness into gambling is more than just a fad; it’s a change towards a more sustainable and fun way to gamble!
As we continue to break down the stigmas that surround both gambling and mental health, mindful gambling is proof of the shifting understanding of what it means to engage in entertainment activities in a responsible way. For the modern bettor, it’s not just about knowing when to bet and when to walk away but also about knowing how to integrate self-care into every play so that every bet, win or loss, adds to rather than takes away from one’s overall well-being. At the end of the day, mindful gambling is about supplementing the experience so that it’s balanced, contemplative, and, of course, fun!
