Life After Sports Betting – How to Walk Away

While many who are not into sports gambling think that the only allure of this pastime is making money, for many, this is not the top priority. While, for loads, this sure is a major pull, something that brings them over to this activity, it is often not the main reason they stick with it.

It goes without saying that betting’s unique enticements can grab a person, making them shift their priorities. We did an article dedicated to when gamblers should stop wagering and think about quitting this pastime. So, before reading this one, you may want to check that one out. We say that because here, we will focus on how to step away from betting, even when it feels like you are removing a core part of your built identity. Hence, below, we seek to provide actionable tips to help hobby bettors rediscover fulfillment in other areas and learn to live without wagering on sports.

Why Bettors Walk Away

Before diving deep into the topic at hand, we will first quickly run down the reasons individuals who were enamored with sports gambling may want to leave this activity behind.

Without question, everyone’s life circumstances change. People’s priorities evolve. Bettors may find themselves focusing on major milestones, which will move their focus and deprioritize activities that no longer align with them accomplishing their future set goals.

Betting is time-consuming, as those who are serious about it perform in-depth statistical analysis, shop odds, monitor games, and track results. It can also put a financial strain on a budget, as even regular small wagers eventually add up, with people often discovering that instead of entertainment, for future stability, it is better to redirect their funds into savings/investments.

And let us not forget burnout. The rollercoaster of emotional peaks and valleys of betting can take its toll on the human psyche, leading to fatigue. At a point when that has happened, even for those who wish, plan, and are eager to continue wagering, stepping away becomes mandatory because they need to rest, regain mental clarity, and refuel so they can come back sharper.

More Common Challenges

When someone does something for an extended period, it is natural to form a psychological attachment to that activity. This especially holds for things that contain a high level of risk-taking, as the thrill this generates can create emotional dependency. Accordingly, quitting can evoke a period of emotional withdrawal, a time to redefine one’s relationship with sports and entertainment.

There is also the Fear of Missing Out, which we have discussed in other content. In this context, quitting can make you feel unproductive or aimless, a gap that should be filled for normal functioning.

Another major issue is that relapse triggers are all over the place these days, ranging from casual conversations with friends or colleagues about upcoming games to browsing the internet and walking billboard-ridden streets. Peer pressure is also a thing. That can include judgment by others for stepping away.

The lack of instant gratification that live betting can supply is another problem, as is adjusting to different entertainment perspectives.

Strategies for Quitting

If you plan on quitting, you should not look upon this act as depriving yourself of something you love. It would help if you tried to view it as creating a healthier life balance. That is crucial, regardless of why you have chosen to go down this path.

Most psychologists will say that quitting cold turkey is not wise. We agree. Thus, creating a gradual exit plan is necessary so that the process feels manageable. To minimize deprivation (feelings of), which can lead to/cause a relapse, it is advisable to reduce your betting step by step. Lower your limits and cut down on the number of events you bet on weekly while focusing on lower stakes, ones that remove the pressure of big wagers but still give you a sense of involvement. Maybe try to participate in sports as a way of connecting with your love for athletic contests.

Allocate the money you once used for betting into a high-yield savings account while trying to offset your betting routine by adding fulfilling activities like dedicated weekend outings, museum visits, going to the movies, etc. Essentially, using time in different ways that you would have probably previously spent on sports wagering.

Seeking alternative and novel methods of mental stimulation can also be super beneficial. If you got somewhat addicted to betting, that may point to you having an addictive personality in general, which means you can get hooked on something else. That can be something more positive that can provide constant mental stimulation, not endanger your financial situation, and supply perks like professional growth.

Do not go deep into crypto or stock investing, viewing this as something offering close enough thrills and monetary rewards, because those activities also carry hefty risk, and gamblers prone to mental lapses and ill-advised betting can make similar mistakes in these. Maybe explore fantasy sports leagues as something comparable to sports wagering but not as risky.

Breaking social habits is also vital. Do not hang out with gambling buddies in environments that stimulate betting, like NFL parties or sports bars. If the gradual wean-off process is proving successful, close your account, unsubscribe from betting newsletters and promotional emails, and redirect to a new hobby. Volunteer somewhere so that you feel you have traded in betting for something that is incredibly rewarding, like helping those in need.

Dealing with Temptation

It will arise, no doubt. Maybe not the day after, but someday, as even with the best-laid plans, temptation can come, especially with a hobby that has been a part of one’s routine for a long time. So, when it pops its head, it is paramount that you remind yourself of your Why. Why did you decide to quit? That should be the anchor that keeps you grounded when the urge to return surfaces. You can keep a journal where you write down your reasons for quitting. There, you can also jot a personal mission statement and pour it out. Take a few minutes every week or month to read it and reflect on the progress you’ve made.

In this age, the accessibility of online gambling is massive. Consequently, limiting exposure is not easy. But, even if you have not been addicted to betting, you can still have site-blocking software installed on your phone, Gamban for example, and have an ad-blocking app on there to stop gambling ads from popping up on YouTube or elsewhere. Unfollowing social media betting profiles is also a must.

Again, it is not enough to stop wagering on sports; you also must fill the void this creates. Exercise is a terrific way to channel your energy into something healthy and take your mind off thinking about the dopamine rush that comes from gambling when you get reminded of it out of nowhere. It’s great because it provides results. If you work out consistently, they will surely come, and it is an antidote to the mental stimulation that betting used to provide, boosting mood and reducing stress.

Taking up chess or strategy-based video games could give you similar mental challenges to betting without the connected financial risks. But playing too many games has its own problems. Practicing mindfulness does not, and can be super handy in different ways. Millions use meditation to manage cravings. They also accomplish this through deep breathing, guided imagery, and similar techniques.

Lastly, accountability can be a powerful motivator. Sharing your decision to quit with someone else may make you less likely to fall back into old habits, as knowing that someone can check in on you and be disappointed in your decision to go back can reinforce your commitment to quitting.

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