Golf was always my go to way to de-stress. After a long week at work, I would join my friends on the golf course and enjoy a relaxing round of golf. The course we went to was in a local area which was quite hilly, but there were some wonderful views if you made it to the top. It was a real workout with all the walking, but it didn’t feel like it because that’s the beauty of golf, you can take it at your own pace.
The Connection Between Golf and Mental Health.
Are you feeling stressed and burnt out? There is something that you may not have thought of that can help in many ways. A round of golf. Not only are you getting some physical exercise, it has long been known that a relaxing round of golf can be good for your mental health. It’s more than just a sport, it can help you improve your confidence, self-esteem and anxiety levels.
Stress affects your mental health, and it can also affect you physically, making you feel ill more than you should.
Reducing stress helps maintain your physical and mental wellbeing by:
- Improving your mood and productivity
- Boosting your immune system
- Reducing your risk of developing other illnesses, from a head cold to heart disease or diabetes
- Preventing other mental health conditions from developing, like anxiety or depression
- Enhancing your sleep quality
Everyone should try to reduce stress and golf is a great way of doing this.
Physical activity is well known for reducing stress and increasing mental wellbeing. It helps prevent anxiety and depression. Golf itself is known for a number of benefits; the physical activity can be effective in preventing depression. Regular games can improve confidence and boost self-esteem which contributes to mental wellbeing. Golf is predominantly an outdoor activity and fresh air is great for both physical and mental wellbeing.
Personal Benefits of Golf for Stress Relief
When playing golf, you become focused on taking your shot. This can help you take your mind off of your worries and concentrate on the task before you. Keeping you in the moment and this is what being mindful is all about. Forget everything that is causing you stress and stay focused on something else, taking your shot.
Many golf courses are enclosed in nature and the pleasant surroundings can help keep you focused on your main objective, leaving all your other worries behind.
The physical activity involved in a game of golf can release endorphins that naturally combat stress. Walking the course and swinging the club are all good forms of physical exercise that are also fun and relaxing.
A Typical Round of Golf as Stress Relief.
One thing I remember most about playing golf was the excitement of getting ready. I would grab my golf clubs and meet up with my friends, all ready for our afternoon, hoping the rain would hold off but also that it wouldn’t be too hot.
Comfortable shoes were a must as there was always a lot of walking to do. We didn’t bother with golf buggies as we only ever played on the smaller courses. It doesn’t really matter whether your course is massive or small the benefits of a game of golf are still the same. You don’t even need to buy the most expensive equipment, and some places even hire out clubs and trolleys if you don’t have your own.
We would sometimes get competitive when playing together but often it was just so much fun to be out in the fresh air enjoying practicing our golfing skills and seeing how much we could improve each time we went. We would often finish off socializing and talking about the game. You could feel the stress of the week just melt away.
Tips for Maximizing the Stress-Relief Benefits
I haven’t played for a while but the last time we visited the area I used to play we took the kids for a walk around the edge of the course to the top of the hill. It brought back a lot of memories of when I used to play golf.
It is always good to pick a really nice area to play golf, one where you can enjoy nature. Scenic courses enhance the calming effect. To get the best of your game you should stay present, reflect on the simple enjoyment of playing the game. And make sure you are sharing the time with some good company.
Conclusion
The next time you feel stressed why not try a round of golf. It really does help to melt all those worries away. You get to be in nature and enjoy some exercise with friends. While forgetting the stress of the rest of your life and being in the moment of the game. Just enjoy the sound of the club hitting the ball and watching it fly through the air. And the thrill of getting the ball into that hole. It doesn’t matter how good you are so long as you get out and have some fun.
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