Don't be a loser by gambling
Some of you may have done well last night, and are rejoicing to the heavens. And others -- maybe you're trying to bury your head in the sand. Why? You either won a load of cash or you're dead broke from betting on the Super Bowl. Whether you won or lost, you must beware of a disease that is plaguing men across the country: Gambling addiction. I know, it's in our nature to take risks. But we need to start thinking with our heads -- and not our hearts -- when it comes to rooting for our favorite teams. Anything can happen throughout the course of a football game, as we saw last night in the Super Bowl. And if you already have a history of making bad picks and losing money that should've have gone toward your mortgage, you need help. Gambling effects - A Web site by the Los Angeles-based Gamblers Anonymous International reports that there are a number of reasons why men gamble. Some men gamble for the high, the crack, the action. For others gambling covers over problems of depression, panic attacks, mania, drug and alcohol abuse. The group said most men start off as casual social gamblers. These individuals typically gamble for enjoyment, and it doesn't affect any major areas in their lives. But they still risk becoming compulsive/pathological gamblers -- someone who loses control of their gambling habits. If untreated, their gambling behavior would lead to loss of hope, and even imprisonment.
Here are five tips on how to curb your gambling addiction, according to Gamblers Anonymous International:
* Avoid the venue. Find other interesting hobbies to enjoy during the times when you tend to gamble.
* Limit the availability of your cash. Arrange to have daily withdrawal limits on your bank account, set up a joint account that requires two signatures or pay bills electronically.
* Manage stress. Exercise regularly, or do things that enable you to relax such as listening to music and hanging out with friends. (Of course, avoid the ones who gamble.)
* Keep a record. A diary could help you understand your gambling activities, identify trends and patterns. For example, you might go gambling when you feel bored or depressed, or when you need money.
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