Gambling in its various forms has been popular for centuries in different cultures all over the entire world. Whether through the national lottery, in horse racing tracks or in casino table games, people are wagering their money hoping to win big time. Although the number of people who go home with life changing winnings is much smaller than the number of people who have left their money in the casinos, race tracks or bingo halls, the popularity of the pastime has not been reduced through the years. Despite the low odds of stepping out as winners in most popular forms of gambling is a well known fact, even though gambling suffers from a bad reputation and even when it is illegal, gambling is still one of the most popular pastimes in the world. So, why do people gamble? The most obvious answer would be money, but it will not be a full answer. There are many other reasons that drive people to the nearest gambling facility. Here we will try to offer an answer to this disturbing question. Luck: the irrational believe in luck is engraved in most of us. These unexplained gut feelings that a special day or a certain number is luckier than the others are sends a lot of people to gamble or even gamble on the same numbers over and over again. Social Purposes: have you ever wonder how can a group of people beat the pants off someone in a poker game and remain best buddies? You can see it in bingo halls, casino bars and friendly poker games: many people see gambling as an opportunity to make new friends or spend time with old friends in addition to the chance of earning additional money. Entertainment: many people visit casinos and play their favorite casino games simply because they love it and they are having a great time. In Las Vegas casinos for example, you will meet more recreational gamblers who see gambling as part of their vacation activities than professional gamblers who take gambling as a serious source of income. Excitement: the act of gambling apparently can give you quite an adrenaline rush. Regardless of the money aspect, the anticipation of the outcome of the game while still not knowing whether it would match your bet is what makes all forms of gambling so thrilling and exciting. Relaxation: as opposed to the accelerated adrenaline rush described by many gamblers, many gamblers find the gambling experience relaxing. When you think about it, what can be more relaxing than ending a busy work week in the comfortable casino atmosphere, playing your favorite game and served free drinks? Boredom: whether exciting or relaxing, when the daily lives become an unbearable routine, gambling can serve as a way to escape reality. Money: in addition to all the reasons mentioned above, gambling allegedly provides an opportunity to can earn unbelievable amounts of money within short time and minimum investment. Even if you are aware to the exact mathematical odds of beating each and every gambling game, if you are an optimist by nature, this slightest chance would nevertheless drive you to a casino, a bookie, a lottery terminal or a bingo hall.
Archive for ◊ February, 2010 ◊
Cause I’m young, and I’m hip, so beautiful I’m gonna be a supermodel I’m young, and I’m hip, so beautiful I’m gonna be supermodel I didn’t, eat yesterday And I’m going not eat today And I’m not gonna eat tomorrow Cause I’m gonna be a supermodel –Lines from the song “I wanna be a Supermodel” This popular song by Avril Lavigne clearly spoke as to what what most teenagers are aspiring for today—be someone as skinny as Paris Hilton or be the next Gisele Bundchen. But in the pursuit of this dream, they consciously or unconsciously experimented with diets and extreme exercise to loose those unwanted pounds even go as far as taking weigh loss pill. Later on, they develop eating disorders with increasing frequency. Eating disorders rank the third most common chronic illness in most teenagers and young women. There are two subgroups of the disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. 1. Anorexia Nervosa – is an eating disorder in which a person refuses to eat right, and has an intense fear of weight gain and a distorted body image. A person suffering from this shows skeletal muscle atrophy, loss of fatty tissue, weigh loss of 15% or greater, and yellowish skin. 2. Bulimia Nervosa – is which people are so preoccupied with their weight and shape and has episodes of binging and purging. During these episodes, they eat a large amount of food in a short period of time and then try to rid themselves of the extra calories by self-induced vomiting or getting rid of it by excessive exercise. More often then not they skip meals altogether. Bulimia nervosa is a serious condition and it can be life-threatening. Bulimic persons are usually with poor self-esteem. People with bulimia experience episodes of bingeing and purging. Binges often occur in private. Once the binging ends, the purging begins. They can be found in the bathrooms to vomit and may take laxatives. As it progresses, they become used to it and they will vomit whenever they want. Physical signs and symptoms of bulimia include: · bloating · dehydration · dry skin · irregular heartbeat · abnormal bowel functioning · menstrual irregularities Emotional behavior plays a big role in the bulimic person. They can be found dieting, eating much more food in a binge episode than taking a normal meal. They can be fasting, they hoard food and often can be anxious or depressed. Media in all forms contributes so much to the illusion that being waif-like is very beautiful and being thin is something to be so proud off. Peer pressure is also one of those reasons and trying to become popular another one. Upon proper diagnosis by your doctor, a person who can be bulimic undergoes physical exam, laboratory tests, and psychological evaluation, Treatment may include: medical care, nutritional therapy, medications, psychotherapy and even hospitalization. With proper treatment, a bulimic person can recover. Recovery is much faster if he or she gets the support from family and friends to seek or continue with the treatment prescribed. A bulimic shouldn’t isolate herself and must be at all times be with her loved ones. Another positive action is not to constantly check yourself in the mirror which only reinforces your belief that you are ugly and you need to lose all that fat when it’s not that it may seem.