Everyone experiences stress. In fact, more than 70 percent of all people regularly experience physical or psychological symptoms related to stress. While some people will resort to medication to manage their stress, others play golf. Did you know that playing golf reduces stress and anxiety? It may sound peculiar, but it is all true. In this article, we are taking a deep look into how golf helps lower your stress and keep you going.
Playing Golf to Stay Fit
Doctors say that exercise is a natural stress reliever. Anyone who has played an 18-hole round can tell you that it's some serious physical exercise. Golf can offer you a thorough workout while you enjoy fresh air and good company. Golf is such a great way to work out because it gives you the motivation to continue. The game's competitive nature and the sheer fun of hitting the golf ball make you want to play again and again. If you don't rely on a golf cart and carry your own clubs, you will add an extra layer of endurance training to your golf workouts. As an added bonus, golf represents an active lifestyle that gets you burning those calories. Even if you are not physically active in your life, golf will help you move without exhausting you. This makes it a great way to start your weight loss efforts.
Mental Workout
Golf is one of those sports that requires a lot of thinking. It is a game of strategy and skill. When you have to plan your next shot, focus on your form, and visualize the trajectory of the ball, you are exercising your brain. When you visualize yourself succeeding in a shot, you are focusing on your success, which lowers negative self-talk. That is why golf will make you smarter while lowering your stress.
Enjoy the Outdoors
No matter what type of person you are, science says that nature is good for you. Going outside, enjoying fresh air, the sun, and the rolling green of the golf course is a great way to cheer up. Breathing the fresh air and workout out in the open sky have proven health benefits. These include lower risk for cardiovascular disease and stress relief. Staying outdoors will also help relax your muscle tension, which will further reduce your stress. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, but it also contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Every calorie your body burns is turned into glucose. Glucose is a pure sugar that our bodies use as fuel. Too much glucose and you increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, and various inflammatory diseases. Playing golf on a regular basis is a great way to reduce your blood sugar levels while having some quality outdoors fun. In fact, golf is an ideal pastime for people suffering from type II diabetes.
Vitamin D
Low levels of vitamin D in the blood can lead to signs of depression and anxiety. The good news is that your body can produce all the vitamin D it needs, as long as you expose it to the sun. Our skin can produce vitamin D only when you get out in the sun, and golf will get you plenty of that. If you spend your days inside an office, you might be stressed because of a vitamin D deficiency! Going out for a morning game of golf will refuel your vitamin D reserves and keep the stress away.
A Change of Pace
Some sports are frantic and may contribute to more stress. Golf is the complete opposite. With golf, you get to enjoy a complete change of pace from the fast city life. The game itself is designed for a steady pace that allows you to enjoy the scenery. Whether you golf in the morning for the best performance, or in the afternoon for a more casual experience, golf will get your mind off your daily routine. This change of pace will make your worries seem more distant.
Boost Your Confidence and Self-Esteem
Nothing beats the satisfaction of making a difficult shot. Golf is a complex but rewarding sport. Mastering it will give a huge boost in your confidence and self-esteem. Experienced golfers know all too well that there is joy in improving your skills. It is easy to learn how to golf as the game itself is deceptively simple. However, the techniques are endless and allow for a remarkable depth of play. Becoming better at golf will fill you with self-confidence, which is a fantastic cure for everyday anxiety. It's hard to be stressed about mundane things when you feel like Tiger Woods!
Live Longer
Finally, golf can help you live longer. Bringing together all the above benefits, you have an activity that keeps you healthy, active, and motivated. Just by playing golf every weekend you are giving yourself the chance to grow older and stay healthier deep into your senior years. The very realization that golf can make you live a longer, healthier life is enough to make your worries feel less important. So, grab your irons and get golfing today!
Final Thoughts: Playing Golf is Fun and Healthy
What's better than enjoying an afternoon of golf to boost your wellbeing? As we have seen in this article, playing golf can be good for you, so don't hold back. Men and women of all ages can enjoy outdoor fun and reap all the benefits of golf without breaking the bank.
