It’s no secret that exercise has clear physical and mental health benefits – even better if you can get outside to do your workout or play your sport of choice.
Many people enjoy racket sports for this reason, whether it’s padel, badminton, or good old-fashioned tennis. Speaking of which, many sports enthusiasts view tennis in particular as a luxury sport. Here’s what you need to know about tennis and why playing it can be so beneficial to your well-being.
Full body workout
There’s no denying that tennis offers a full-body workout. Coordination and fitness are what help you through each game as you dart across the pitch to return serves. It counts as a cardiovascular workout, which helps to improve heart health and stamina. You’re constantly moving and your muscles are engaged so your body will thank you for it each time you play. Just remember to warm up and cool down properly.
Improved coordination and reflexes
Hand-eye coordination is huge in tennis. You need to apply it with fast reflexes as you’ll have mere micro-seconds to make your move. The benefits of this include contribution to brain health and improved cognitive function. Your reflexes will become more prominent over time too.
Stress relief
Like many forms of exercise, tennis can be a great way of relieving stress. By triggering endorphins, it helps to naturally improve your mood and in turn, can help to distract you from any stress you may be experiencing in everyday life. Health professionals regularly recommend exercise as a way of coping with stress.
Social interaction
You can play tennis in singles or doubles. This way, you can also meet plenty of like-minded players. That’s why tennis clubs are such a popular choice for many enthusiasts – you can get to know people inside and outside the game. Joining tournaments and local leagues will help you stay motivated with the chance to indulge in a little competition. Some choose to combine two things in one with a tennis holiday where you can play to your heart’s content and enjoy plenty of relaxation in between. Not to mention the socialising this offers.
Lifetime sport
Many view tennis as a ‘lifetime’ sport. So long as you continue to play while staying fit and healthy, you could be playing tennis in later life. You can also modify the game to make it more low-impact. For example, you could play with others at a similar level to you, so that you aren’t straining your body or feeling frustrated. The beauty of the game is that it can be adapted to suit players of any level or age.
Discipline
As with any sport, discipline is a key part of tennis. It encourages you to play well and play fairly with others. You learn how to respect your opponents and follow the rules, all of which help you to become a good sportsman. The game won’t always go in your favour and it’s important to keep your cool and maintain a professional image, even when playing casually. This can be beneficial in life off the court as well.
Enjoyment and fun
Most importantly – tennis is fun. It gets the endorphins going and helps you get up and away from your screens. During the summertime, you can enjoy the sport outdoors, which does wonders for your mental wellbeing. Tying it in with the social aspect, you’ll soon view it as more of a hobby than a form of exercise.
