Physical exercise is widely recognized for its numerous benefits to physical health, such as improving cardiovascular fitness, strengthening muscles and enhancing flexibility.
The positive impact of sport on mental health is equally significant, but often overlooked. The social and mental benefits of padel are at the heart of our ‘beyond padel’ philosophy here at Padel39, and we wanted to share some thoughts on why we believe that physical activity is so important and why it should be part of your life.
Physical exercise stimulates the production of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters, and can also help regulate sleep patterns, which are often disrupted by mental health issues.
Research shows that engaging in regular physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, enhance mood, and increase feelings of well-being. Physical activity can act as a form of meditation, as you are forced to put down your phone and enjoy the company of your fellow players without the constant interruptions of modern life. This is a great tonic against stress and anxiety.
Participating in a social sport, such as padel, offers the combined benefits of physical activity and social interaction, both of which are crucial for mental health.
Playing any sport with friends can help foster a sense of community and belonging, which is very important if you ever feel a sense of loneliness or isolation, which is a growing mental health issue.
We place as much importance on the post match chat / drinks as we do on the matches that you will enjoy here at Padel39. Gameplay will improve communication skills and build your confidence, but building new friendships off the court will bring fun and enjoyment - and help to boost your mood and overall sense of wellbeing.
Learning a new sport can be incredibly beneficial for mental health. Padel is exploding in popularity across the globe, but many of our members will be newcomers to the sport, so you will be embarking on a new journey.
The process of acquiring new skills stimulates the brain, enhancing cognitive functions such as memory, problem-solving and concentration. The process of learning anything new also fosters a growth mindset, encouraging individuals to embrace challenges and persist through difficulties.
Not only will engaging in a new physical activity provide a fresh and exciting way to break routine, reduce boredom and add variety to an exercise regimen but the sense of accomplishment and progress gained from mastering a new sport can boost self-esteem and confidence. It is not just about being competitive on the court - padel will help you become a champion in your day to day life.
As mentioned, we place huge importance on the social aspects of padel. Meeting new people is all part of the experience and it will help create a positive impact on mental health.
While there is no doubt that padel will be fantastic for your mental health, we should not ignore the physical benefits, as it is an effective way to burn calories.
An hour of playing padel will burn between 400 to 600 calories, depending on the intensity of play and the individual's weight and fitness level. This high calorie burn is due to the sport's combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise, which involves short bursts of high-intensity activity, followed by periods of lower-intensity play.
In addition to burning calories, padel enhances cardiovascular health, improves coordination and agility, and provides a fun and engaging workout.
What is there not to like? Come and see us at Padel39 to kickstart your 2024 health programme. You will enjoy the ride and your brain and body will thank you.
