Lately I have become more aware of my mental health and have quickly realized how beneficial exercise is to staying well. Every day I go on my rowing machine, and I have started spinning classes, I wondered why golf in particular had such a draw for people. But now I understand, and this article looks at some of the main mental health benefits of golf.

Dopamine Levels

Regular exercise such as golf increases your dopamine levels which makes you feel more alive. One problem with mental health issues is you start to feel disengaged with life. All that dopamine can bring you back to the present. Helping you stop disconnecting with the world around you. Dopamine is heavily involved with our moods and emotions. It is known to give feelings of happiness and even euphoria.

Contact With Nature

Studies have shown that contact with nature can help with depression. Getting outdoors playing an activity such as golf can improve your mood and self-esteem. I am tempted to look at golf holidays in Spain. Time outdoors can reduce negative emotions, so a whole week away in the sunshine and fresh air would work wonders right now.

Reduce Cortisol Levels

Cortisol is the stress hormone. It has been found that time outdoors can help with muscle tension and lower blood pressure. So as long as you don’t take your game too seriously you should start to destress and relax and see your cortisol levels reduce.

Social Needs

Social interaction is essential for our mental health. Golf can meet those needs, by bringing people together. As you walk around the course the slow quiet pace gives you the opportunity to talk and connect with one another. A lack of emotional support in your life can be very damaging.

Focuses The Mind

Exercise helps you focus on the now by concentrating on what you’re doing. It helps stop those wandering thoughts in your head that prevent you from switching off from your problems. Otherwise, you just keep going back to them and getting in a bad place. You can feel your stomach churning and your blood pressure raising. It’s good to have a chance to get out of your own head for a while! What mind wouldn’t appreciate a break from that cycle of negative thoughts.

Improves Confidence

When you get better at golf you can feel an increase in confidence. You start to feel better about yourself, and your self-esteem improves. It’s nice to feel more positive about your ability at something. That sense of accomplishment can really lift your mood.

Given the all round mental health benefits of golf if you are feeling low I think its time to take to the green!