This is an article ‘How playing tennis benefits your overall wellness’ by Marc Pulisci
Practically people of all ages can play tennis, and how it has become one of the most widely popular sports all over the world is easily an understatement. The sport can either be played by two players against each other (referred to as "playing singles") or with teams of two players (referred to as "doubles"). The mechanics are simple enough – a ball is hit over a net and into the opposing side of the court by both players using racquets until one misses a shot.
However, while it may seem simple enough, tennis matches can feature a range of play styles, including serving the ball over the net, rallies (in which players hit the ball back and forth), quick movements, tactical footwork, and survival of the fittest. With your entire body moving as you play, there's no question tennis offers quite a number of physical and mental benefits, whether you are a novice player or a pro. It's an excellent way to maintain your health, strength, and agility, which burns around 600 calories for males and 420 calories for women in just an hour of play.
Here are more reasons why you should take up tennis if you want to get serious about your overall wellness:
Tennis boosts your brain power
Tennis is like a calorie-free brain boost! By forming strategies in your mind as you play, you can enhance your critical thinking, cognitive performance, and tactical thinking skills in the process.
Serotonin is a brain chemical that affects your mood, cravings, and sleep cycle. Tennis helps control your production of serotonin levels, which can correct your sleeping patterns and appetite while giving you a more positive outlook and feeling throughout the day.
It aids you in weight loss
Losing a pound off your body requires you to burn 3,500 calories. As mentioned above, playing an hour of singles tennis can help men lose around 600 calories, and 420 calories for women. Just imagine how much you can lose if you play competitively on a regular basis.
Tennis is a fantastic alternative for cardiovascular exercise. Your entire body is continuously in motion as you run, pivot, stretch, and move your feet, trying to cover all areas of your side of the court. The American Dietetic Association estimates that competitive players can burn from 768 to 1,728 calories during a two-hour singles match. Consistently playing tennis every week helps keep your metabolism at its peak so you can burn more calories even after play.
It's a great stress buster
Everyone experiences stress in their daily lives, but tennis is an excellent sport to reduce it. Of course, stress can also be present for competitive players on the court, but those playing for recreational reasons can significantly benefit from the exercise they get from playing tennis.
While there are other good alternatives for exercises and physical workouts, tennis distracts your mind from your everyday worries, unlike when simply going out for a run or spending some time on the elliptical. Playing tennis keeps you focused on the match and helps you make critical decisions on the fly. You then get that rewarding feeling when you score a point against your opponent from the dopamine released in your body.
In other words, tennis forces you to concentrate on the match you're playing rather than your worries and other thoughts. So when you think you need a brief mental vacation, try picking up a racquet and hitting the court with someone who also needs a worry-free break.
It keeps your entire body working
Any tennis player knows it takes regular workouts and practice to achieve proper footwork, shot posture, and agility to win matches. In every match, players find themselves bending over and chasing the ball through controlled movements to keep the match at play.
Developing the proper movement and footwork that allow you to switch directions fast and gracefully also improve your agility, balance, and flexibility. It's always a good idea to do some light stretching before a match to prevent yourself from getting an injury. While tennis is good for overall wellness, untrained players who do not take the necessary pre-match exercises can be prone to ankle breakers, swollen joints, or torn muscles.
Ensure that you have proper conditioning and training exercises before you compete competitively and master the correct techniques that match your skill level.
It helps you meet more people
Tennis is a game filled with social interactions. Regardless of how you want to play tennis, you'll always have to play it with a partner. The sport encourages you to interact with opponents, work with coaches or teammates and can make your social life exciting.
Sharing your passions and interests with like-minded people can help improve your game while giving you that psychological satisfaction that friendships bring. Playing regularly or competing in various tournaments will enhance your social skills significantly.
You can play it regardless of age or skill level
In contrast to most sports, people of all ages can play and enjoy tennis. Even in your senior years, there are variations of tennis such as Pickleball or Platform Tennis that won't be as strenuous but will still give you an excellent physical workout.
Many elders take up the sport after retirement because it doesn't require them to run up and down great lengths of a field or a court like that in football or basketball, but it still allows them to use entire body movements for a more holistic exercise. Ideal for people of all ages and skill levels, tennis welcomes all players and still promises reduced stress along with its many other benefits.
An overall winner
Regarding health benefits, tennis offers a great workout and lots of rewarding fun. Aside from increasing your aerobic capabilities while lowering your heart rate and blood pressure, it also develops your metabolic function and improves bone density.
For those looking to tone their muscles and gain strength and flexibility, tennis promises numerous health benefits that can help you achieve this, along with a brighter and more positive mental attitude that makes you an overall winner.
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