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Mental and Physical Health in Trading

  • #1
  • First Post: Aug 31, 2018 5:04am Aug 31, 2018 5:04am
I wanted to discuss a topic I don't see readily talked about in Forex trading, and that is Mental/Physical health. In order to Consistently profit from the markets, you need to be in sound physical and especially sound mental health. I am within 6 months of making the transition to Full time trading and have been profitable consistently now. One thing you need to consider is how to limit your time on the screens and how to stay healthy. Some thoughts:

  1. As you get better at trading/investing and start generating more of your income from this, the pressure increases
  2. You tend to get immersed in this business and forget about basic mental/physical upkeep
  3. Lack of sleep due to stresses of trading

The best way I've found to try and combat this, and I use the word TRY as I'm still working on it, is to put together a daily schedule on paper/calendar. Just like a successful trading strategy, you need to follow rules to ensure you have the mental focus capabilities to trade successfully. Some Best practices I have:

  1. Set specific trading Business times and DON'T DEVIATE. It's natural to want to be always connected, especially if you are profitable. Set parameters
  2. Document your sleep times. No waking up to trade in the middle of the night
  3. Exercise
  4. Completely Unplug on the Weekends. Even Warren Buffett and George Soros talk about the importance of leisure time.

Getting in a good routine will allow you to successfully trade for the long term. Hope this helps and I am open to anyone that has some great best practices for this.
Mahalo (Thank you),
Cris

“The most valuable commodity I know of is information”
  • #2
  • Aug 31, 2018 7:25am Aug 31, 2018 7:25am
Great thread Cris, and a sound list of things to consider when trading for a living.

Yes, it also amazes me how little this topic is discussed by traders. I suppose it is quite a personal thing but you're right, we all need to make sure we eat well, sleep well, move and spend time outdoors.

One thing that has helped me is to try to do things in reverse, i.e. design the best lifestyle and daily routine and work back from there to make a trading plan that allows that lifestyle. I used to spend far too much time looking at screens and realised I wasn't enjoying my present, but putting things off for some future.

For example, daily non-negotiables include walking, time in nature, time in silence, quality interactions with others (face-to-face not online!), community contribution, time unplugged, time with loved ones, giving them my full attention (difficult when my iPhone is pinging with price alerts but so important!).

The result is that I trade less frequently, but am more profitable, healthier and less stressed. It's a work in progress though and I still often have to force myself to switch my computer off and go for a walk. Eating healthily is also a daily challenge, but it's a lot easier when you know that eating well will indirectly make you more money...

I too would love to hear others' top tips on this!

Happy trading :-)
  • #3
  • Edited 7:49am Aug 31, 2018 7:37am | Edited 7:49am
Quoting ClipperFX
I wanted to discuss a topic I don't see readily talked about in Forex trading, and that is Mental/Physical health. In order to Consistently profit from the markets, you need to be in sound physical and especially sound mental health. I am within 6 months of making the transition to Full time trading and have been profitable consistently now. One thing you need to consider is how to limit your time on the screens and how to stay healthy. Some thoughts: As you get better at trading/investing and start generating more of your income from this, the...
im the epitome of what a trader should be

physical, mental, fortitude, balls of titanium...

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  • #4
  • Aug 31, 2018 12:54pm Aug 31, 2018 12:54pm
I do my best to exercise daily, regardless of whether I am trading or not, although I don't do deadlifting.
  • #5
  • Aug 31, 2018 2:09pm Aug 31, 2018 2:09pm
Quoting ClipperFX
I wanted to discuss a topic I don't see readily talked about in Forex trading, and that is Mental/Physical health. In order to Consistently profit from the markets, you need to be in sound physical and especially sound mental health. I am within 6 months of making the transition to Full time trading and have been profitable consistently now. One thing you need to consider is how to limit your time on the screens and how to stay healthy. Some thoughts: As you get better at trading/investing and start generating more of your income from this, the...
Mate, I wanted to like your thread; but unfortunately I didnt get any option!!! Dont know why, a must like thread. Great job mate.
  • #6
  • Sep 1, 2018 12:46pm Sep 1, 2018 12:46pm
Quoting MariaEduard
{quote} Mate, I wanted to like your thread; but unfortunately I didnt get any option!!! Dont know why, a must like thread. Great job mate.
Thanks MariaEduard for the kind words. As I continue my trading, i realize how important it is to be healthy. One thing I started doing is Journaling with an Actual hard copy book. I tried journaling with excel but it just ends up creating more screen time. Taking time away to record your trades,thoughts, fears, mistakes, successes helps alleviate stress. Stress reduction is very important in mental and physical health. Hope to hear others thoughts on the subject
“The most valuable commodity I know of is information”
  • #7
  • Sep 1, 2018 12:46pm Sep 1, 2018 12:46pm
Quoting hilmy83
{quote} im the epitome of what a trader should be physical, mental, fortitude, balls of titanium... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91hMqXSd92M
hilmy, you are a BEAST! Thats what I'm talking about!
“The most valuable commodity I know of is information”
  • #8
  • Sep 2, 2018 6:08am Sep 2, 2018 6:08am
Quoting ClipperFX
{quote} Thanks MariaEduard for the kind words. As I continue my trading, i realize how important it is to be healthy. One thing I started doing is Journaling with an Actual hard copy book. I tried journaling with excel but it just ends up creating more screen time. Taking time away to record your trades,thoughts, fears, mistakes, successes helps alleviate stress. Stress reduction is very important in mental and physical health. Hope to hear others thoughts on the subject
You are always welcome mate; appreciate your all words! Have a great weekend.
  • #9
  • Sep 2, 2018 9:53am Sep 2, 2018 9:53am
Quoting ClipperFX
{quote} Thanks MariaEduard for the kind words. As I continue my trading, i realize how important it is to be healthy. One thing I started doing is Journaling with an Actual hard copy book. I tried journaling with excel but it just ends up creating more screen time. Taking time away to record your trades,thoughts, fears, mistakes, successes helps alleviate stress. Stress reduction is very important in mental and physical health. Hope to hear others thoughts on the subject
Yes, love this!
Writing in a proper journal with a beautiful pen is so soothing! Also, you can do it anywhere...
  • #10
  • Sep 9, 2018 9:56pm Sep 9, 2018 9:56pm
Have to share a pic of my trading journal- it gets the job done and reminds me "do or do not. There is no try." Seriously though, its a good way to get away from the charts.

One thing I wanted to point out as well is supplementation to support the body. One essential I would recommend is Lutein. This is very good for eye health, which is a critical component of trading on screens.
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“The most valuable commodity I know of is information”
  • #11
  • Sep 9, 2018 11:37pm Sep 9, 2018 11:37pm
Quoting ClipperFX
I wanted to discuss a topic I don't see readily talked about in Forex trading, and that is Mental/Physical health. In order to Consistently profit from the markets, you need to be in sound physical and especially sound mental health. I am within 6 months of making the transition to Full time trading and have been profitable consistently now. One thing you need to consider is how to limit your time on the screens and how to stay healthy. Some thoughts: As you get better at trading/investing and start generating more of your income from this, the...
I completely agree with you. This is a much needed post to talk about. People generally tend to disregard their health while being consumed by trading. In my opinion if we take good care of our mental and physical health we'll able to think in a more coherent and logical way thus in a way it will help in improving our trading.
  • #12
  • Edited 6:03am Sep 10, 2018 12:12am | Edited 6:03am
I think you guys will enjoy free webinars by Dr Andrew Menaker on youtube.

Health= mental well being = peak performance in trading.Even these yogic videos are good for understanding our behaviors, these are trading behaviors.


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  • #13
  • Sep 10, 2018 12:30am Sep 10, 2018 12:30am
Mindfulness and meditation will help in trading.

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  • #14
  • Sep 12, 2018 12:05am Sep 12, 2018 12:05am
From what I have read sitting down a lot is very bad for health. I wonder how many traders use stand up desks?
  • #15
  • Oct 11, 2018 12:16pm Oct 11, 2018 12:16pm
Quoting westomarke
From what I have read sitting down a lot is very bad for health. I wonder how many traders use stand up desks?
Not a lot, in my opinion. Standing in one place for hours on end can be very exhausting. Many traders do, however, exercise often.
  • #16
  • Oct 11, 2018 4:15pm Oct 11, 2018 4:15pm
Quoting westomarke
From what I have read sitting down a lot is very bad for health. I wonder how many traders use stand up desks?
Yes, that would be interesting to know. Neither sitting nor standing all day is good, movement and variety is the way forward. Less screen time too.
  • #17
  • Oct 11, 2018 4:56pm Oct 11, 2018 4:56pm
If you trade for a living (as I do these days) then you have to look upon yourself as a self employed businessperson. You can't successfully run your own business for any length of time without maintaining a reasonable mental & physical condition, and trading is no different except that I'd say the pressure in trading is greater mentally than physically compared to a lot of other endeavours.

So, focus on mental wellbeing first. Keep your sleep topped up, have definite and regular switch-off relaxation times, do whatever mental conditioning works for you, and work to keep yourself on a reasonable emotional equilibrium. Having a very clear trading plan & method helps a lot here, as does keeping to strict rules on risk control.

The physical side is comparatively less important for trading - it's not physically demanding to sit on a chair and click a mouse - but a healthy body and a healthy mind are clearly not unrelated, so do try to keep healthy and with reasonable personal energy as a minimum, in any way you choose to achieve this.
  • #18
  • Oct 11, 2018 5:34pm Oct 11, 2018 5:34pm
Quoting Oldtraderman
If you trade for a living (as I do these days) then you have to look upon yourself as a self employed businessperson. You can't successfully run your own business for any length of time without maintaining a reasonable mental & physical condition, and trading is no different except that I'd say the pressure in trading is greater mentally than physically compared to a lot of other endeavours. So, focus on mental wellbeing first. Keep your sleep topped up, have definite and regular switch-off relaxation times, do whatever mental conditioning works...
I couldn't agree with you more on this post...in fact I am grateful to have come along this thread. The mind/body connection is undeniable and in our business, extremely important.

The most successful entrepreneurs take care of their bodies FIRST before putting their minds to work. And many get up even earlier than most of us to do just that very thing.

The nature of our business lends itself to long hours of observation and study in a physically damaging position...seated in front of computer screen. That is very detrimental to one's health and thus also detrimental to your mind...and it is your mind that recognizes opportunities to profit. Physical activity away from the computer is essential...I would also add an appropriate diet that allows your brain the best nutrition available to help you focus for long periods of time without mental fatigue.

A disciplined schedule filled with time dedicated to both personal and business interests including "business hours" and time for enjoyment of family, friends, and interests outside the office is yet another key to success in this business....

I will follow this thread with great interest
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  • #19
  • Oct 12, 2018 5:10am Oct 12, 2018 5:10am
About six years full time for me now, and second most of this lot. Plus I'd add one more... getting an office. Trading is dangerously solitary so really, really recommend getting office space with others around you.

I only lasted around 6 months working from home, and was totally climbing the walls by the end of it.

Aside from social side of things, it gives you a start and a finish time, a full day's work. A semblance of normality in what is, frankly, a pretty odd job.

Tried a stand-up desk but with fine detailed work (and obviously that depends on how you trade), found it too tricky. Eyesight is OK so long as I get time to look into the distance (ie open spaces). I'm generally pretty good at getting exercise, but like most office bods, it's flexibility that I tend to overlook and should sort.
  • #20
  • Oct 12, 2018 5:37am Oct 12, 2018 5:37am
Depends who you are when you come into trading. If you're generally unorganized, messy and lazy, then you'll die as a trader unless you change radically, that's if you survive long enough to become a trader.

If you're reasonably well organized, healthy, take regular exercise and are together mentally, then you shouldn't have to make any real changes to your lifestyle. Whatever changes you do make, will be those which trading enforces upon you, and that is something only experience will reveal, because no one who becomes consistently profitable as a trader is the same person they were when they first looked at a financial chart.
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