1. Mood & Mental Health
Playing pickleball can improve your mood and ward off depression.
As participants get their hearts pumping with this form of moderate exercise, it can improve blood pressure levels as well. Physical activity can help release feel-good endorphins and take our mind off our worries.
Participating in a group sport can also improve social interaction. Exchanging smiles with a teammate can benefit our moods and mental health.
In addition to the social benefits of playing sports, participating in a pickleball game can also make you more confident.
As you get in shape, you’ll feel better about your appearance, which can improve your mental health, too!
2. Burn Calories
While there’s no serious running, playing pickleball does provide a little aerobic exercise. As a great alternative to more strenuous physical activities, pickleball is ideal for older age groups that still want to get in a little moderate exercise.
The game combines ping-pong, tennis, and badminton and requires players to move within a small court.
This gives participants the opportunity to get on their feet, move around, and burn calories while they’re playing pickleball.
3. Improve Balance
A rousing pickleball game can also improve your balance. Regular activity, including the aerobic exercise pickleball requires, can improve our balance even as we age.
As more players perfect their pickleball game, they can build their stamina, footwork, and control as well.
4. Better Agility
Since a pickleball moves much slower than the speed of a tennis ball, a pickleball game is a lot easier on older bodies.
This gives players the opportunity to tone their muscles and improve their agility.
5. Reduce Health Risks
According to NPR, pickleball is also a great sport for participants with previous injuries. Instead of putting your health at risk, you can burn 40 percent more calories than walking without causing yourself further pain.
6. Make New Friendships
Pickleball is also a social sport. Whether you play a single or doubles game, learning how to play pickleball can put you on the court with other enthusiastic players.
That way, you’re making social connections as you play, which can improve your mental health, too.
7. It’s Fun!
Finally, pickleball is a fun leisure activity that can help you break away from your usual routine. Get out there and have a blast.
It’s not about winning, but about having fun with the other players around you.
Here are five tips to help you win your next pickleball game!