The effect of stress on horse racing gambling
Stress reduces our ability to process
information. Now as your effectiveness as a punter solely relies
on your ability to process information, don't you think this may
be significant?
A recent study in the
USA found that people who were given too much information in making
stock market buying and selling decisions did not perform as well
as people who received less information. In other words, given too
many options, our brains become overloaded and we feel forced to
choose an option which might not be the best decision for the situation.
Without going in to all sorts of psychological hyperbole, the part
of the brain we need to make logical decisions gets over-ridden
in times of stress by the middle or lower part of the brain that
is more attuned to "fight or flee" survival decisions.
When we are stressed it is common to have several reactions that
reduce effective decision making including:
1. Pre-occupation with an idea, even if it is old or ineffective.
We do this because we fear new ideas or activities as a response
to being overwhelmed and stressed. We tend to do things
the way we always have done, rather than using new ways
or new technologies. (Sound familiar?)
2. Our concentration is impaired. Too much internal "noise"
and distraction from our fear/stress.
3. There is a deterioration in judgment and logical thinking. The
neo-cortex shuts down and we become more reactive.
4. We can fall more easily into negative self-evaluations as stress
affects our self-esteem and self-confidence.
5. We have less objectivity for a reality-check that can
show the overall position in the "bigger" picture.
6. Creativity is reduced and we see fewer alternatives.
7. Our search for input of useful information is impaired.
8. We fail to see and understand the long-term consequences of decisions.
This can lead to serious mistakes.
Stress affects a gambler's profit and loss in a number of different
ways, and the exact manifestation will be different for each punter.
For some punters, stress might cause them to have more bets than
usual (perhaps in a desperate attempt to make more money), while
for others, stress might cause them to punt less than usual, perhaps
because they are unable to make any decisions.
So if you suddenly find yourself punting badly, consider your emotional
state and whether that might be the cause, before you decide to
make any adjustments to your punting methodologies.
If you find yourself "stressed out", the best decision
is always going to be to stop punting, shut down for the
day and come back fresh tomorrow. A quiet walk along the beach or
river front always beats doubling up in the Stress Stakes!
Walking increases the blood flow to the brain. A 1999 study found
that people walking 45 minutes a day at 10 minute per kilometre
pace increased their thinking skills. The participants started at
15 minutes of walking and built up their time and speed. The result
was that the same people were mentally sharper after taking up this
walking program.
What I can GUARANTEE is that you will feel less
stress during the afternoon's "pursuit of a winner" if
all your selections for the afternoon and your punting strategy
has been worked out well in advance during the morning of the day's
activities. Nothing increases punting stress more than trying to
make decisions on the run during the 'heat of battle" and is
the sure way to find yourself knocking on the poor house door.
Business efficiency gurus have for
YEARS and YEARS been flogging the 5P analogy - Proper Preparation
Prevents Poor Performance.
Perhaps we should make that the 6P approach - Proper Preparation
Prevents Poor Punting Performance?
