April is focused on raising awareness about the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic. Millions of us around the UK are experiencing high levels of stress and it can be damaging to our health. Stress is one of the great public health challenges of our time, but it still isn't being taken as seriously as physical health concerns. As we all know, golf is a great way to escape the stresses of your work, of college, of university and any other aspect of life. Not only should we talk about the importance of stress awareness but we should also promote the benefits of playing golf in order to reduce stress. Island Green want you to look into how you can improve your stress levels particularly through the game of golf and to spread the word of stress awareness and how we can combat it
Grab some fresh air and take in the surroundings:
Golf is a fantastic way to get away from what's bothering you; ecotherapy (the ability to exercise outdoors) can be applied to golf. Being in a rural and pleasant landscape such as a golf course is proven to increase self-esteem and release endorphins which are responsible for producing feels of euphoria and a general state of well-being.
A social sport:
Golf is a sport that promotes sociability. It gives you the chance to meet friends, make new friends and enhance relationships. All of this will allow you to avoid feelings of isolation and loneliness.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) found that positive interpersonal interactions are important factors to improve a person's mental health problems. Subsequently, interacting with others outdoors is reported to reduce stress levels by keeping blood pressure at neutral, making you feel relaxed.
Goal Setting:
In all aspects of life, setting goals is a great way to stay motivated and focused. The same can be applied to golf. Let's say you want to drop your handicap by 2 shots; this is your goal. You're going to have to play and practice in order to drop these 2 shots. This means more golf and as we learnt earlier, more golf means less stress overall.
In setting a goal, you are giving yourself smaller goals to eventually reach your main aim. This will keep you focused and every time you hit one of these small targets you are going to feel good about yourself. You've achieved something and that will want to make you achieve more.
Exercise:
Exercise in general has been a crucial part to reducing stress; the feeling of getting fitter also releases endorphins, making you feel a sense of fulfilment. Although golf is seen as a moderate form of exercise, if you break down the data, the average 18 - hole round of golf is above 10,000 steps and 5 miles. This is important to take into consideration as the NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of activity a week. This is easily achieved in a single round of golf!
These are all just a few of many reasons why golf is proven to reduce stress and improve your mental health overall. Please take these pointers away, share the message and get yourself out on the golf course!
