What does golf have to do with mental well-being?
“Golf can provide health-enhancing physical activity,” says Andrew Murray, co-director of Edinburgh University’s Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Group. Physical activity provides a wealth of health benefits, such as decreasing risk of heart attack, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and bowel and breast cancers. “It can also be an effective treatment for anxiety, depression and dementia,”
Apart from that, physical activity can also have protective effects against Alzheimer’s disease!
Why golf?
Golf checks all the boxes as a mood-lifting activity. It is played outdoors at a stress-free pace and is often played with other like-minded people. Golf is also an ongoing challenge for most players as it allows them to constantly improve their concentration, balance and swing.
For people who are new to golf or returning after years of not playing, the key to keeping it fun is to begin slowly, start at the level where you can be happy in golf - that's the key to help you progress in the game and keep you going!
The science-backed benefits of playing golf
Anxiety and Depression Relief - Exercise is a proven way to find relief from some mental and emotional problems. Golfers spend many hours outdoors—and time outside is a proven mood-booster, particularly for older adults. In fact, the researchers reported that older adults who spent at least 30 minutes outdoors each day were more likely to have fewer depressive symptoms than those who spent that time indoors.
Increased Social Interaction - One of the reasons golf may be so popular among older adults is because of the social and psychological benefits it provides. Being around other human beings in a friendly, fun, low-stakes environment has many mental health benefits. This benefit may be particularly strong for retired people who no longer have that guaranteed daily contact with others a workplace provides. As people get older, they tend to get more socially isolated, which can increase their chances for developing depression, anxiety and cognitive decline. Golf provides a great avenue to combat these risks because it’s usually played around other people, thus offering a natural opportunity for camaraderie and human contact—which we know improves mental health.
Building Confidence - By beginning or returning to golf slowly (and accepting your skill level), your confidence can grow. “Golf is a matter of understanding your balance and your athleticism. Playing regularly, can lead to improvement and it also helps boost confidence. For golf, doing it daily is better than weekly, and four times a week is better than one time a week. Nevertheless, be realistic in your expectations and don’t be afraid of doing something wrong, It’s all part of the learning process.
Practicing Patience - Golfers must develop (to some degree) the quality of patience—with themselves, other people and the game (unlike tennis or pickleball, a round of golf moves at a slow pace). Many beginner players quit because they don’t think they’re improving quickly enough, and they miss that thrill of a breakthrough in their skill level. There are a lot of things you can find out about yourself when you play golf. If you’re not a mental health patient, it’s a skill you’re going to have to develop.
Golfing is for everyone?
There are tremendous benefits in golfing, be it the slow pace which is great for the young as well as the old, more importantly, it brings out the competitiveness in you. Furthermore, it is a game of patience, many at times, rushing or forcing wouldn't do you and your swing any good. On the other hand, consistency and focus is what brings your game up.
So if you were to ask me, how does golfing helps in the mental state of mind, or in the healing process. Well, there are definitely 101 ways to heal, but, I believe golfing is something that gives us space and a good workout out in the outdoors. Furthermore, absorbing some vitamin D wouldn't be a bad idea after all, in fact, it also helps us to maintain a healthy blood level.
So till next time, happy golfing!