Mental health and physical health are intrinsically connected. The two cannot be separated; they are, in fact, flip sides of the same coin. Countless studies have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that exercise and physical activity are vitally important ingredients in enhancing mental health. What’s good for the body is good for the mind — and vice versa.
In short, mental health really is health. Period. It’s the fuel that allows you to do everything else in your life; to show up for your family, to show up at work, to show up in your sport, to show up for your community. To be there for yourself. When your mental health suffers, all those other dimensions suffer as well. It’s like cutting off a vital fuel.
And while all physical activity is beneficial to mental health, participation in tennis, known for increasing longevity more than any other sport or physical activity, delivers particularly extraordinary mental health benefits. Tennis is the world’s healthiest sport and offers an unbeatable blend of ingredients that optimize its impact on those who participate.
A social sport
Tennis is easily accessible, can be played by people of all ages and abilities, and is unmatched in its singular social advantages.
“Even when you’re playing singles, tennis is very social,” noted Dr. Brian Hainline, the U.S. Tennis Association’s immediate past president and a clinical professor of neurology at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine. “Tennis connects individuals in a unique and wonderful way, and we know that those social interactions are critically important for mental health wellness, because social activity decreases the likelihood of loneliness, which is a major factor in depression and anxiety.”
Not only does tennis afford a great way to connect with others, it’s also unmatched in its ability to connect its participants with themselves.
“Tennis is particularly beneficial for mental health because it encourages self-reliance and mental toughness,” said Dr. Alexis Colvin, the U.S. Open’s chief medical officer. “It can help improve your self-confidence by offering measurable progress — whether that’s improved physical fitness, mastery of skills, or competitive results.”
“Tennis is a sport that requires you to be in the present,” Hainline added. “And being in the present means that you’re really focused on the here and now, so you’re not stressing out about what may or may not happen in five minutes or an hour or in 10 years. It’s almost this sense of mindful presence — very Zen-like — which is really important for a sense of well-being and wellness.”
Taking life one point at a time
That “one point at a time” aspect of the sport is a big reason why tennis has proven such a powerful tool in programs that assist those struggling with mental health issues, including veterans.
“I think tennis really translates into life, because life is going to constantly throw stuff at you,” said Kol Wanningman, an Air Force veteran who served in Iraq and now participates in the Wounded Warriors Tennis Program in San Diego.
Wanningman admits that he’s had some “dark times” since leaving the service, but says tennis has helped to shine a light on some of life’s more positive aspects. “You can be playing great one minute and then you’re playing like crap,” he said. “You can let it get to you or you can just slow things down, refocus, and take it one point at a time, and think ‘What can I do right now to make this point matter?’
“In tennis and in life, you’re basically playing one point at a time. You’re not always going to be prepared for everything, and maybe you’re never going to have the ideal circumstances — so what can you do with the circumstances you have?”
The lifetime sport of tennis has helped to make countless lives better, happier, and healthier through its unparalleled combination of life-enhancing benefits. In a time when so much seems unplugged, tennis connects.
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