Switching off after a long poker session

shakinaces

Just wondered how other people go about it... given the tendency for poker to be an evening activity and there not always being a big gap between playing and heading to bed.

I was never really affected by it when playing 3-4 tables, but running with 8 or more seems to leave my mind in overdrive and makes it even harder than usual to drop off, no matter how knackered I may be.

Obviously there is the self-medication option, currently a Japanese-produced single malt, but I'm sure there may be some healthier alternatives... any tips?

Tikay10

You make some good points there Shaky.

If we are multi-tabling, & getting to the sharp end of MTT's or SNG's. the mind is all revved up & buzzing, & needs to settle down before bed.

I try & leave time for half an hour or more of a nature documentary on TV (Wild Russia was on last night, stunning camerawork), & then an hour reading a good book, just to relax the mind & sort of "warm-down".  

Bane12

Half hours reading for me. Get involved with a good book and its easy to sleep. Just finished the final Jack Reacher book, read all 19 one after the other, well worth a read.

VespaPX

Sky+ one of Orfords shows - be asleep in no time ! :-)

DTWBANDIT

   I have some holicks & listen to some music for about half hour that seems to do the trick.

55013

A brisk 30/40 minute walk. Works wonders, good for you too (although one sometimes loses the goodness by going via the chippy).

TeddyBloat

get yourself f:lux.

it will alter the colour tempreture of your screen and it will really help you after a late night session.

watch this for some good mental game advice and warm down routines:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCAMpqDr13Y

FCHD

How about gradually redcuing the number of tables down towards the end of the session?

Glenelg

In Response to Re: Switching off after a long poker session:

How about gradually redcuing the number of tables down towards the end of the session?
Posted by FCHD

Good idea!  I  find this happens naturally for me, sometimes really quick!  ;-)) 

I'm another for reading prior to BB's.  In fact I'm an avid reader (55 & counting in 2014!)  I've just finished reading "Life & Limb" by Jamie Andrews.  If you need a book to inspire you....this is it!  Jamie is a climber (like myself) who in 1999  was marooned  in a massive snowstorm in the alps with his best friend for 3/4 days before being rescued.  His pal did not survive & Jamie lost all his limbs from frost-bite.  Did he feel sorry for himself? Hell no, he has since, run a marathon, taken up climbing again ....well thats a taster.

1267

In Response to Re: Switching off after a long poker session:

Half hours reading for me. Get involved with a good book and its easy to sleep. Just finished the final Jack Reacher book, read all 19 one after the other, well worth a read.
Posted by Bane12

Surely if the books good you'd rather stay up and read it?

Donttelmum

I really stuggle with this.  Just finished a 16hr session playing 16 tables for 80% of that time (untill they dropped off after 4am).  I'll go to bed now at 7am and probably lay there 3 hours untill I have any chance of sleeping.  I'll then wake up 4 hours later and realise I'm in the raked hands race and get up and go again.  It probably doesn't help that I'm trying to get to sleep when the sun is coming up.  I usually end up watching something on the ipad which usually wakes me up after few hours later.

Good advice so far and more welcomed.

Run good fellas.

Tikay10

In Response to Re: Switching off after a long poker session:

How about gradually redcuing the number of tables down towards the end of the session?
Posted by FCHD

That's a good point.

I reduce from 6 tables down to 1 as my sessions draw to a close, & the last 1 or 2 tables always seem quite relaxing, as the intensity lessens.

Sir-Gary

Later on in the evening I tend to be in tournies only and I drop off playing cash, so as I am eliminated I play fewer and fewer tables. If the last table finishes about 3am then I have no trouble going sleep, it's getting up for work the next day is the problem. If I finish earlier though I have dvd's and watch an episode of a comedy like "Red Drawf", Fawlty Towers", "Only fools and horses" etc. I find this relaxes me.