3 WAYS TENNIS CAN BOOST YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and we are showing you how to use the Club to support your overall mental health and wellness. Tennis is a game built around strategy and agility. It requires you not only to quickly react and make decisions but also gives you a great workout. Below you can learn how playing Tennis regularly is great for your physical health but also for your mental health.
Tennis is a great way to stay active and has numerous benefits on the body such as improved muscle tone, strength and flexibility but did you know tennis is also one of the best physical activities that also stimulates your mind? Here are a few ways regularly playing Tennis can make a difference in your mental health.
1. HELPS IMPROVE YOUR MOOD
Tennis is a form of physical activity which means when you play your body is naturally releasing serotonin and endorphins. These two hormones are known to help boost your mood and keep your body systems, like your digestion and circadian rhythm, functioning properly. They can even help you feel more relaxed which can help you get a better night’s sleep and keep you less anxious or stressed throughout the day.
2. INCREASES YOUR ALERTNESS
Tennis forces your brain to think quick and react which helps build your memory and ability to concentrate. Tennis requires a lot of strategy – you have to quickly think about your opponent’s next move and your response then act on it quickly. When playing a match of tennis your mind and body is always moving and making decisions which can help generate new connections between the nerves in the brain that help you stay alert. Being more alert and building these new connections can help support a lifelong continuous development of the brain.
3. REDUCES STRESS
Everyone encounters stress, but we all handle it differently. Tennis is a great physical outlet that works your muscle tension in your body which can hold onto stress. It also puts your cardiovascular system to work which helps your body produce the hormones it needs to combat stress. Plus, tennis can be played with friends which can also help you blow off some steam and just have fun while still taking in all the physical and mental benefits of the game.
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