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You treat gambling as a place for entertainment and you enjoy every minute of it, but your family tells you to stop gambling for a week and challenges you to check other platforms for the same level of enjoyment that you experience in gambling.

So what will it be for you?

Mine is having a long ride on my motorcycle I feel it's refreshing and enjoyable, especially when I take on zigzag roads.
I'm a responsible rider and advocate of safe riding and if I'm not gambling online I love to take a long ride I have the same enjoyment doing both.

The only other activity or platform where I am having at least the same amount of fun if not more is when I am building networks on the GNS3 network emulator.I like creating different labs there as I also teach some students CCNA classes and that is my favorite tool,of course this is after having fun and enjoying good moments with my family,then last but not least comes gambling where I enjoy slot machines even when I am losing the hell out of money there still the enjoyment of what to expect from the free spins or bonus round is huge.

You mean other things that you can do aside gambling.

You can have a vacation and go and refresh yourself in a new place and experience new things for the week, or you can go on a tour.

You can go and have fun with friends and drink alcohol and eat good foods together. There are places for that.

And have time for your family like take them on outing and have fun.

I have a lot actually. Just buying a good JRPG game on Steam is more than enough to probably last a week, maybe two if needed. Other than that I also like playing Tennis and doing marathon running (but rarely nowadays) which is pretty situational but can take a good chunk of the week if I purposely schedule it as such. Honestly having a lot of stuff to do (even if having less money to support it) is a really great thing since you're able to experience a lot of stuff and not get stuck on one thing. I imagine it'd be rather hard to get stuck with gambling, regardless of how much I like it for a few weeks continuously really.

Not really you can do aside from gambling but more on the level of enjoyment like you do in gambling, something that if you cannot gamble at least this something is what fulfills the same level of enjoyment in gambling if you think that all these things can give you the same level of enjoyment as you do in gambling then its good for you.

I created this as I have a friend who thinks that gambling is so different from all the other things that he experiences that he cannot think of another platform or do something that will equal gambling I like to prove to him that other gamblers can have something that has the same level of enjoyment as they experience in gambling.

It's really hard to feel the same kind of rush and happiness from other things than gambling. For me the excitment and entertainment from gambling is very close to the entertainment I get from gaming with friends. For many years I have been gaming all sorts of games, and especially strategy team games where you can make detailed plans and execute them together are awesome. Unfortunately, it's hard to find the time these days to sit down an evening with my friends and play our favourite games. With gambling it's much easier, I can do it on my own and just play for half an hour in the evening when I have the spare time. Life changes so fast and all my friends have their own families now, that most of my gaming these days is single player and the entertainment from it is not really that great.

Some people can be like this, but out of 100 among them that are not addicted to gambling, hardly will you see 20%. It is gambling addiction that will make someone to like gambling as fun than any other things. Becuase aside work, there are many things that you can have fun with if you do them. Although gambling is part of it, but they are numerous. Example is going on swimming or fishing with a hook.

Good question, I think answers in this thread will help other people to find an alternative way of enjoyment when they want to take a break from gambling. I get the same level of enjoyment from playing slots via free play money. I love slots that have captivating graphics and visuals with many features that includes free spins, jackpot section and some other bonus sections.
My another way of getting the same level of enjoyment is playing video games. Battlefield, Call Of Duty, FIFA and Assassin's Creed series are my favourite. Going to the pool, playing football, basketball and volleyball are my favourite activities too.

There are other fun things I do that are way more entertaining to me than gambling, like watching movies, I am a big fan of Hollywood and South Korea movies, I spent most of my free times doing this than something else, especially with my partner, I am glad we both loves the same thing, apart from gambling.

I also like playing video games on consoles but movies takes most of my time than anything else, I am able to do all this now because things have change a lot in my life compare to before I get married, thanks to crypto and Bitcoin, I spent years on investment to have the kind of life I am living right now, it wasn't this east back then.

I like to gamble only if I have some money that I don't need, my responsibility always come first, gambling money most times don't make it back to me due to losses, but some fun and entertainment cost you nothing, it's your choice to choose which one you want to go with at a given time.

Playing video games, going out with my close friends, eat sweet foods, having sex, drink alcohol, take a vacation etc.

Usually thing that has a same level of enjoyment like gambling is something that can cause addiction, the only thing that must be avoided is drug because it's not easy to quit.

There are many things we can do just to find entertainment, sometimes not only in gambling places to get pleasure because everyone can get pleasure in their own way or look for other hobbies, there is no problem if my family asks me to stop gambling for a week just to be with my family, it's not a big challenge in my opinion because I can do it as a responsible gambler.

I can stop at any time as long as my family asks me to stop gambling for a moment and look for other fun, for example going on holiday with them, especially if I have a child and wife, it would be even better to go together just to look for new fun. that's why the joy of being a responsible gambler is knowing when to gamble and knowing when to stop gambling.  ;D

I think that your question should have been, what other type of recreation or game where you get the same level of enjoyment like in gambling. This is because I think that riding a bike is something physical and not game on a platform, except you're talking about a bike game.

Having clarified  that, for me what I love doing best for relaxation that goes beyond enjoyment for gambling is SINGING, in fact when I'm doing chores, working, relaxing and having fun, I always sing along. It's my number one hubby, at a point I thought that I was going to be a musician, but eventually it didn't happen. Old habit dies hard, and I always find myself singing most times, it's crazy, and i love it.

I nearly got addicted to axie infinity years back before it become less profitable later, I can't do without playing this game and because it's all about your skills I was in love with the game, this type of entertainment is better than relying completely on luck.

Sadly today, play to earn isn't as perfect as they way they should, problem have always plague their tokenomics but maybe in future there will be some better adjustment, this can easily take my mind off gambling completely or maybe I will move into gambling platforms with games based on how skilful you are, this is far more reliable to me than betting on pure luck.

This is why betting on sports is better than betting on Slots and other casino games, apart from the skill requirement of poker game which I still think that offline poker is better, there is no other casino games that come close to using skills.

There's a lot. You can try the nature activities like hiking or playing board games with friends, or taking up a new hobby like painting, photography, or playing a musical instrument. I also suggest virtual games but that should be the last option I think? I think you should try to get away from anything that relates to gambling especially online ads. It wont be easy but it doesnt mean that its not possible.

Maybe I'll take up the challenge and see what kind of fun I can have. If I could really get more pleasure than playing gambling, maybe I would stop gambling and choose another platform to have fun.
Someone who has frequently used one activity sometimes needs time to adapt to another activity because they feel that it is different from what they did before.
If it can provide entertainment, especially if you don't use too much money, maybe it is a good choice to start reducing gambling activities.
But for gamblers, maybe they will return to gambling again as usual because they still prefer gambling rather than using other platforms.

I think that OP idea of this topic was to name activities that we find as gambling substitution, or activities that will keep us busy from gambling and make our brain to switch from thinking about gambling. I know that to make a brain a relax, to take their mind off routine, people go to gym. People say that pumping iron gives them a real concentration and refreshes their mind. I think single visit or several visits wont have much of an effect, but visiting gym 3 times a week during months and years will have its effect. I havent tested that, but I prefer to go pool swimming on weekend. This routine helps to get rid of problems that were accumulated during week. Maybe this trick will work with gambling and addiction also.

Going to the gym, having a good sweat, regardless of what time and day. I think this is also what save others to be sane during the pandemic. So if we have some plates in the house or you have a mini-gym then instead of online gambling, just to and exercise at it releases dopamine, making you feel good just like the effects of gambling to some of us, specially if we have a good and big win. Or when we back to normal, just walk around the neighboring block, buy some watches that can measure how many steps you take (I usually target 10,000 per day), and the same effect as well, physically and mentally you go sweat and then comeback to home to do your daily routines.

Why will my family members tell me to stop gambling for a week, it doesn't make any sense to me, if you are asking me to stop gambling, then you should have a reason for that, and i don't think any of my family member will even ask me to take a break from gambling for 1 week. if you want me to stop gambling, then give me reason for that, but not even asking me to take break from gambling for 1 week.

What I do whenever I don't gamble is watch football. Whenever I watch football, I always have the same relaxation I have with gambling, so that's one of the things I will do whenever I am asked to stay away from gambling for one week. Another thing that I know can replace gambling if am to stop gambling for one week is for me to be with my friends. If I am with my friends, I don't even think about gambling because we crack jokes and discuss about the past. If I am with my friends, I can stop gambling for as long as possible.

Movie marathon or playing online games with friends during weekends. This is my alternative source of entertainment whenever I’m abstaining on gambling while I’m still looking for a source of entertainment.

I believe anything that will make your mind busy for that particular moment is a good alternative on gambling because we are just seeking gambling because we have nothing to while earning money in fastest way provides an instant entertainment since everyone loves money.

Sometimes, we really need to distance ourselves from the world of gambling to prevent our losses from growing and chasing after defeats. At times, however, we still desire to continue gambling with the hope of increasing our winnings. There are many other activities I can engage in that provide the same level of enjoyment or even more than what I experience in gambling. Since I always face the monitor, I can take and enroll in online courses about web development, programming, and coding to enhance and refine my computer skills. Online gaming is also an option; I can play with my laptop and smartphone to connect with others and have fun. I enjoy listening to music to relax and can create playlists of my favorite songs as well.

I was a man who like to do anything which is related to nature such as hunting and fishing in a place which not many people know about it.
Maybe fishing will be my best option to do if I have to stop gambling for a while, but I dont think I'll be fishing for a week LOL.
The enjoyment when I can catch big fish in a natural river or a lake is something like when I hit a big multiplier in gambling.
The longest time I spent for fishing was like 3days in a wild jungle but it was when I still single, I did it with few friends and we have a 2 nights camp.

When you do like something then even if your family would be telling something like this wont be something that everyone will follow specially on trying out to deal up with things on which you do really enjoy. Basing up on the situation that you are picturing out then it is really that pertaining about offline or physical casinos which we know that not all would be having the opportunity
will be able to play into this places and this is why they would be sticking with online casinos on which it is more simpler and much more easy access.

If your family will be telling you that you should find for another place to play on then it would really be up to you.We do have own preferences but its not that bad
on considering on testing or trying out other places as well. Offerings could be that much more better in other platforms/places as well on which it might
be that giving that change of interest.

I like watching action series and anime then never stop until I catch up with the latest.
Like last year I got hooked on one anime series that is already finished, I didn't sleep well but it was worth it when I saw the ending.
But now that 2 of my kids are going to school it's difficult to do this again. I have to take care of them first and that's my priority now more than watching and more than gambling.
I enjoy it although sometimes it's exhausting but all of it will be worth the hard work at the end of the day when you see your kids so happy after school.
I don't think I can do what you are doing like long-rides because of my responsibilities. Gambling though can be a good stress reliever once I sit in front of my computer while my kids are sound asleep. ;D
Another stress reliever is watching sports, I do love basketball, MMA, and boxing.

Watching movies and playing videogames for me but now I'm branching out and doing different stuff and I've seen from a local library that they have an event where they played Dungeons and Dragons so I am looking to learn how to play that one in hopes that I can play that, I really like board games and I haven't played one in a long time so I will be trying to play and maybe other board games. I'm also building a Magic the Gathering deck so who knows what's coming for me. Gambling is sure fun but it's not really that entertaining to me anymore, I just get frustrated even more when I lose.

My alternative to gambling is always been watching action and horror movies on Netflix, I have the same level of excitement doing both, so if ever I cannot gamble as long as there is an internet, and I have an active subscription to Netflix and there are a lot of action and horror movies available to watch I'm ok with it.
In fact, I shuffle between the two, I make it a point to have a 30-minute break from gambling to watch 30 minutes on Netflix and then come to play again.
Since both are on the internet I can easily the leave the gambling platform or even if I lose I just watch a movie and forget my losses.

if that happened to me, maybe i would try hiking and look for calming spots in the mountains. because i think the cool mountain air, the green grass and trees, and the beautiful places in the mountains can help me calm my mind for a moment and divert my mind from gambling. maybe for many people hiking is a tiring activity and they are reluctant to do this, but i like it and i think it's the only activity that can help me refresh my mind.

My alternative is to go out with my friends and have a small party. We basically love playing snooker and a little bit of booze doesn't affect us while playing. The second option is to go out for a movie with my family and end up having dinner with them on the same day. It is only a day or two that you can stay away from gambling or placing bet on your favourite game. The rest of the week goes as usual without any interference from anyone.

I feel bored watching long movies so physical activities is the best alternative for me and jogging on the nearest park is the most practical thing to do. I already do morning runs on a regular basis so I would just double down and dedicate the time I would have spent on gambling to after work jogging or other physical activities in case it rains or if it's not possible for some other reasons.

In addition to gambling, another thing I look for fun is to play games, riding a motorbike at midnight with a speed that is 100km/hour, it makes me very happy because I feel as a rider of the street ruling may be a little different from you OP, but I really enjoy it in driving like That, and sometimes I also like hiking to breathe fresh air, far from pollution, far from the crowd, far from the internet network, it doesn't make me happy but that makes me calmer in seeing the lives of the other side that I have to enjoy.

This habit is still fairly new in me, because before I was an impulsive gambler, but fortunately I got a lot of suggestions in the forum to improve myself with tips on people who have more experience in forums about gambling problems. ;D

My choice or preference as an alternative to gambling with the same enjoyment is watching a movie I prefer watching movies in the cinema rather than online because cinemas offer a different ambiance, and you have to be fully focused watching a movie.

I like the experience of commuting to the cinema and afterward eating in a fast food, watching the movies is for the excitement and eating in a fast food is cooling down from the excitement I always do this on a weekend when I take a break from playing on online casinos.

For me there are no other Platforms other than gambling that keep me entertained, online casinos have a real challenge for me, I enjoy doing and making bets that are a little challenging and strange, so for now it is casinos that keep me challenged.

No, my principle is that entertainment cannot be forced, pleasure and entertainment come by themselves.
The reason:
This is the same as someone liking a tourist spot, for some people the place is impressive and beautiful, but for others it is just ordinary.

So entertainment comes from the eyes and mind, what people like is not necessarily what we like and vice versa.

If the other platform were an activity other than gambling, I would definitely be willing to do it and not gamble for a week because it would definitely be useful for me in reducing my gambling activities. And it can also refresh my mind from my daily activities so that when I return to my activities, my mind will be fresher. I prefer going on only a short trip because of the tiredness that may take time to get rid of. So perhaps I'll go somewhere not too far, enjoy the time and atmosphere, and it'll be good for my health too. I will also visit friends and relatives who I haven't seen for a long time, and that will definitely relieve the longing, especially now that the pandemic has completely disappeared. During that time with family, it will definitely be very fun, and we can enjoy closeness with each other, which will strengthen the family relationship between us. Going fishing can also be one form of entertainment that can be done to get rid of boredom or daily routine.

I'm also a rider, and I also love long ride trips because they're really entertaining and relaxing, especially if the places you see while traveling are nature. It feels very refreshing.

If I were to shop, I would prefer the joy ride over motorcycling. I even plan to set up a small cab that my motorcycle pulls like a small cabin that fits me like a camping van and the motorcycle camp motor builder like that. At least I can really feel that we are enjoying life.

The hobby of bicycle riding is what you you while some others have gambling as what makes them happy, so if the family suggest for such person to quit gambling for other activities, it is going to be difficult to leave. Habit are not left on a platter but on a personal effort that is gradual. This is like those who also smoke and their families ask them to quit, it is all a gradual process.

For me I like watching action movies. So if that happens what I will do is to get glued to my TV set and watch movies.

Better term I guess is outlet for enjoyment. I tend to socialize with my friends and play Basketball during mu free time and whenever I am not feeling the urge to gamble especially when my luck seem to be running out. If ever mu parents would be the one to tell me to quit gambling, I think it is where there would be a difference 'coz they see you as a problematic gambler. Gambling is indeed entertaining and is just leaving a bad impression with people who finds it hard to control themselves.
Indeed some people tend to force their luck while chasing their losses. A domino effect; frustration would make you more exposed into it.

Do something that keeps you busy and makes you forget. There are things that you can do even when you're stressed and they'll occupy you completely and make you focus on other things. The best is probably going to an unfamiliar place and staying there, like hiking through mountain trails, spending a night in a tent or a cabin, where you have to start a fire, cook food, make yourself warm. We have a lot of free time to worry and enjoy our addictions because everything is easily accessible. You wake up in a warm bed, start a coffee machine, open the fridge to get fresh food, take a hot shower... When you have to get water from a well, or a stream and boil it on open fire or a wood stove and preparing a bath takes an hour, your life changes.

Volunteering to teach refugees or internally displaced people will give the same excitement as gambling. The ability to help the helpless gives me uncommon joy. Another adventure that can give me some pleasure is visiting prisons and hospitals to give them some moral and financial support. I don't mind volunteering to take up an academic position inside the correctional centres to replace gambling for some time.

Going close to nature will be my second choice. Leaving the polluted urban areas to the peaceful serenity of rural areas will be another good alternative to gambling. Visiting local bars where traditional music and dance are prevalent, and local drinks and meals are served is another platform that could substitute gambling. In these rural areas, you will enjoy the privilege of hunting, fishing and swimming in natural water. So if they will accept to pay for any two of these adventures, I might spare gambling for even two weeks.     

In my case it would be to try to replace casino games and gambling in general with videogames I used to play when I was younger, those are so enjoyable I am certain they could keep me away of wagering for a considerable amount of time. I would also try to entertain myself by drawing and riding a bicycle. Those are the things I enjoy doing.

I have never rode a Bike but if a normal bicycle is enjoyable I can only assume that traveling several dozens of kilometers per hour only enhances the experience. It is a pity gas is not as cheap as used to be here.   :(

Do my parents really have to advise me at that point, assuming I'm already addicted?? If they do, I think I'll quickly switch up into playing other types of virtual games; like ps2,3 and 5.. it's not a girl thing yunno but I'll definitely learn on that for free, rather than spending money unnecessarily on virtually programmed games like bc, roulette etc.

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The most important thing now would be how to convey the same feeling and ecstasy into this new phase of gaming..

Sandra 🧑‍🦰

I find that there is enough free gaming out there which can keep you fully entertained without the need to spend anything at all, in the era of microtransactions - game manufacturers are increasingly interested in offering even the highest quality core gaming experiences for free in the hope you will pay for "cool" looking skins or weapons. If you can refrain getting sucked into the "pay to play" model, it's very possible to grind and earn comparable top tier loot for free in many cases., they're just hoping people take shortcuts or are happy wasting large amounts on virtual show offs. I'd much rather spend time exercising, cooking or doing jobs around the house than losing money to casinos.

I like really good movies, so if hypothetically I am the one whose family has asked to stay away from gambling for a very while, I will engage more in watching movies. I find good movies a good way to keep your mind busy, because an idle mind from a person who is trying to stop gambling or reduce gambling usually will find it difficult. If I am not watching movies, I will keep myself engaged by discussing with other people around on any relevant topic, or be swimming.

I don't think ever feeling any form of enjoyment in gambling unless i takes the winning roles else what I sees in gambling is a game of heartbroken.
You don't expect me to feel the gratitude of my loosing as an enjoyment neither would anyone who looses feel so.
If I may ask, who is entertaining who in the gambling board? Is it the gamblers on active gaming or is the the ones that stays aside and watches to see who looses and who wins?
Gambles specifically with the goals to win and make more money from my stakes so if my parents would ask me to skip gambling and engage on other entertaining activities of the same goals and potentials of gambling, then it is certainly another means to gamble been I would still have to make profits so if there is no profit at the other recommended activities from my parents then it is certainly not the same feelings I have in gambling that I would have there .

Fun and entertainment can always come at your want so I don't even think my parents would ask me to go entertaining myself when I know I can always have them without being told.
If I must find gambling that entertaining and enjoyable as said by the OP, then I don't feel any strong energy and seriousness that is required to either enhance my skills or the form of winning possibilities.

There are times playing games for fun and feels the enjoyment as an entertainment where losts can be tolerated but not when stakes are involved.

Fortunately, no one is going to tell me to take a break from gambling because I don't gamble recklessly, and perhaps it's my hard-earned money I'm using to gamble, so I gamble wisely knowing that I don't have to waste more money on gambling than on my budget because there are other important financial needs to sort out. Perhaps, let's say, I want to shift my source of fun from gambling to something else, then it would just be going to the field every day to watch some players play or carry out their foot ball training. Or I can still visit other sports event centers to watch some sports activities.

Kudos to those who take gambling as an entertainment. Still on fun fact, if am not gambling or not doing anything serious, i do spend time in my game center where i play the 8-ball pool with some folks. Funny thing is that we do make the game more interesting by gambling. We stake money on each game whoever wins is the winner. So indirectly while am not gambling at home the alternative thing i can do for fun still involves gambling. Which means am still in the circle of gambling no matter my current choice of Entertaiment. This is because. the 8 ball pool is currently the only thing i do for fun and entertainment if am not at home.

What you're doing is your hobby that's why it makes you happy despite getting no financial profit from it you still derive joy doing it. We feel entertained doing what we love doing the enthusiasm can't be quantified that why whenever I don't feel like gambling I make sure to use that free time I have to engage into one of the many hobbies I enjoy engaging myself in, I love cooking and that's what I use to while away time if am home less busy and not interested to gamble, I usually do that with my headset on as I love listening music a lot too and I can do that the entire day without frowning.

Playing games, I like playing games than going outside and interacting with people.  I prefer indoor activities to outside but I think there is no harm in going to malls to check for new movies to watch and treat the younger family members.

But as I said, it would be mostly playing games and looking for new MMORPG that is newly released to play.  This activities may distract me and possibly let me forget about my gambling activity for some time.

If you think of something of enjoyment, it should be things like games and leisure and not gambling that keeps your heart busy and tempo raised. No matter how we trick our heart, there is a special feeling that is associated with gambling that is not in ordinary games. The simple reason is that money is involved so the focus is always to make more money. The only thing we realize the full fun of gambling is when the winning comes it. This is the only time  joy and fulfilment is realized.

In order to fight gambling addiction as well as depression, many people have suggested we gamble for fun and not just for the money. This might make sense to a lot of people but the fact cannot be distorted and that is the reality that winning brings joy while loses bring pain.

In conclusion, gambling is not where I catch fun, there are many other things that gives fun. Gambling is to enable me make more money.

For me as well, playing basketball or any other games, like even chess with my son. So there's a lot of outlet that we can go to to be entertain not just the regular gambling. Of course it won't replace the feeling of winning, but at least there are activities that might benefit it physically like indoor and outdoor games just to soot out our selves away from that gambling.

And it's good to see that most gamblers here have their own outlet similar to mine. And as a human being, we need diversity in life and not just focus on like playing and gambling all the time and it can also damage us mentally.

I'd say video games are probably the next best thing.

They offer some degree of thrill and can pump you full of adrenaline. That's true especially for horror games and battle royale type of games like modern warfare where you feel alone on the battlefield with other players looking for you.
They allow you to relax if that's what you need.
You don't have to leave the house, so it's accessible 24/7.
When you find the game you like they allow you to immerse in the world and forget all your troubles.

The downside is they're also addictive, especially MMOs, so if you have trouble with gambling addiction it's possible you'll turn one into another.

Going out, doing something that you've never done before like nature tripping, hiking and any other activities that's going to make you tired all day long. But if I just want to take sometime and then get the same level of enjoyment, is anyone find taking a rest is enjoyable as in doing nothing and you're just all over the social media watching all of those shits that are posted there all day long? All day lying on the bed without doing anything at all. I find it sometimes enjoyable and it's the same level or even more than the fun that I can find with gambling. I just remember the famous song of Bruno Mars' The Lazy Song.  :P

If we gamble for fun then it is okay to stop gambling when we have a hobby or other enjoyable activity. In my opinion, gambling is not an activity that we should always do, stopping or taking a break from gambling activities is not a bad thing

But sometimes we don't just see gambling as a fun activity, we see hope in gambling, where we hope to get the jackpot or we hope to get back the money we have spent gambling. If we have thoughts like that then we will refuse to leave gambling. Some people may see gambling as a fun activity but most gamblers don't so they don't want to stop their gambling activities

mine is MMORPG that is heavy on PVP or large-scale wars. currently, I am playing an MMORPG that is like that, it is heavy on PVP, large-scale wars and inter-server wars. what I meant about inter-server wars is that you can visit another server for several hours using a ticket and can join weekly war event that is going on that server to support allies that are on that server to either defend the resources or take resources. there is also a region war where each of the castle holders on each server can join the region war and have the chance to become the emperor, this region war lasts for 3 weeks.

I have cut back on my gambling a lot this past year but the game I mentioned is always my go-to game if I want a break from gambling.

I believe I will have the same activity as yours. Traveling and exploring areas that you've never been out of.
This for me will give enjoyment and relaxation of mind. Explore the nature and you will find out that you will be refreshed.
Should rest from all social media channels and as much as possible be off grid so you won't think of outside stresses.
Detoxifying from the use of social media I think is a very good chance of detaching yourself from others, hence, anxiety, depression and other negative emotions might go away.

Well, it's a good thing that you are devoting your attention to something like a habit to avoid gambling. It's a good practice and also a good indication that you guys who choose to do other things than play gambling and waste money only show that you have self-control and self-awareness.

For me, gambling is only a hobby. I once experienced being addicted, but it didn't last long as I diverted my attention to something else, something like earning money or something that would entertain me, like playing games or watching movies. In short, I balance my hobbies, including gambling. I always keep in mind that I should not overdo any of my hobbies, especially gambling, so you don't have to stop it completely if you can't or you are really fond of gambling; you just have to balance it and also limit your spending; spend only the money that you can afford to lose.

If I don't have to gamble on weekends, I also have options to relax with relatives at small monthly parties. The things that I often like to do are paint and listen to music. I'm not a person who likes noisy places. Sometimes just sitting alone and reading books to find inspiration in life is also relaxation time.

I highly recommend gambling if it's simply seen as a platform for relaxation, but usually around me people can't control that, which makes me realize that I can't become addicted.

At a time when I thought gambling might be a lifeline for difficult times, I actually got lucky, but thinking back, it was risky. From seeking relaxation to becoming dependent, balance in life brings us back to seeing what we need to experience.

You do realize that the same adrenaline rush that you are getting from "gambling" are released when you are participating in a high risk activity... right?

You are addicted to the "feel good" chemicals that are released in your brain, not in the actual activity. So you can participate in any other activity, where there are a high level of danger and still get the pleasure from that. (Sky diving / Base jumps / UFC / Motor sport... etc.)

The fresh air will also do you good..... and also the physical activity that comes with this activity.  ;)

Gaming can be an alternative provider of top-notch entertainment. Many of the favorite sports that gamblers bet and gamble on have games which can be played on consoles and offer same excitement for whoever gets in control. There are many varieties of games suitable for any gender, female and males, so gaming can provide entertainment for either the woman or man who has been challenged by her or his family to give gambling a break.

It is more like a challenge from family members or friends who care about you and want you to prove to them that you are not addicted to gambling as you claim not to.

Gambling is fun but at times you can't afford to spend money on gambling, not even the lowest amount, so you have to wait for some day to make some extra money before you continue to gamble and find something else to spend your free time on, for example video games or visiting the cinema with your family.

There is something I like doing on my free time, that's hunting, my family farm land is in the forest where you can hunt for animals, you need to know how to handle a gun at least and you should also go with friends, I don't do hunting on my own alone because it can be dangerous at tomes but it's really fun.

Family gathering, or going out with friends are fun too but I can't do this if there is no holidays around the corner, my family members are living far away from me and we only meet up when Christmas is nearer or some local festival is happening.

I may not a engaging gambler so  I have to answer this according to what I see is true and valid ,
I am a Mountain lover same as Falls lover so i may answer to be  going in the mountain to stay for even a week ,
take a long rest from work and camping with my Wife , this will be our finest day of the year.but lucky that my
parents need not to ask me about this because I am not really a gambler who pays for long attention.

LOL, I am not an addict; don't feel bothered there  :-*. Sometimes work even compels me to take a break from gambling for like a week or even up to a month. Some months ago, when I had some business issues, I traveled for about a month. Sorting things out alone was enough stress that I had to even cave out and get a little sleep. So, there is no need for them to want to even test me to see that I am not a compulsive gambler.

"Like a habit ". But I think gambling can also be a habit. It only depends on the person though if their gambling habit is bad or good. If it is bad, obviously we should quit on it and find something else better. Most of us still has a self-control and awareness. It's just that it works hard on some other things. Anyways, it was great to know that you have overcome your gambling problem. And thanks for dropping a good tip there.

I agree that stopping it is completely hard and painful. This is why I kept on re-enabling my browser and installing my apps again, but this time I am trying hard to control myself. I make sure to allocate more time and money now on more important things.

It can also be a Habit and we know that but due to it's negative effect to some person that's why I prefer to call it as an obsession, most especially that it requires monetary value to go along with other players. You're right, It's quite difficult to overcome this obsession to the point that you need to seek medical help and worst case is being in a rehabilitation and If you know how to control yourself and you are aware of what will be the affect of this to you, then you are indeed a responsible gambler.

To be fair, social media addiction gets way too much hate than it should. I don't understand how it's even addiction because for me it's more like a boredom killer. If you have something useful to do, you won't bother with social media and if you don't have something good to do, I don't see a problem killing some time on social media.

Gambling is a problem because you are losing money and control over your finances. Usually surrounding yourself with people will help because when you are around friends, family, or even professionals, you won't gamble. In fact, this works for most addictions that exist.

I play sports but the problem is that during the night hours, I get free time and gamble. I am not addicted by any means but that said, I do want to get rid of it.

Now I try to sleep a bit earlier to avoid getting into the same cycle and keep myself busy and it works until it doesn't. Btw, refreshing to see people sharing their thoughts and hobbies because there are some good ideas to engage myself in and postpone gambling.

Late-night Netflix was leading up to gambling for me, so I have distanced myself from it now.

Ill stick to the things on which i do prefer of course. lol

There might be some recommendations neither from my family or with my friends or other people but still i wouldnt really be leaving out on a place on which i do prefer
but if i do see something which is interesting then i might reconsider with those suggestions but if i do see there's no difference and i do still prefer the old
then i would be sticking for a while and might be transferring into place if ever i do see something interesting aside from the current that im dealing with.
So it would be always matter on someones preference.

Well, actually, I don't quite get the essence of the contents of the thread you conveyed, especially the second point. but okay, I will interpret it if you have two habits that you can be responsible for. On the one hand, you are a motorbike enthusiast and on the other hand you are a gambling enthusiast. However, you are still responsible for the two hobbies you enjoy.

Now let's focus on the real point, according to the title of this thread. if I were you, or say I was in your position. The first thing I will ask is, what are the benefits for me if the challenges actually have something in common? Well, so this is the point I mean from the essence of the thread you described. Actually, I don't really understand it and I'm sorry about that. however, if I were given such a challenge. without needing to think at length. Most likely, I will reject it. After all, what should we look for if we are comfortable in our favorite casino? moreover, the challenge offers the same thing. In essence, there is nothing more interesting to make me follow the challenge. So, that's how it is from my point of view.