The brain’s limbic system is associated with emotional responses such as stress and anxiety. Skating can help regulate these lower-domain neurotransmitters, which then positively affect higher regions like the prefrontal cortex–a part of your mind that controls decision making abilities among other things!
12 Reasons Why Skateboarding Is Good For Mental Health
Skateboarding has been proven to improve mental health. It’s a great way of overcoming stress and anxiety, while building self-esteem in those who do it!
1. Skateboarding Is a Fun Way of Working Out
Skateboarding isn’t just a great way to get around, it’s also a fantastic form of exercise. By skating regularly, you’ll get your heart pumping and your muscles working. And, because it’s so much fun, you won’t even realize that you’re exercising!
2. It Helps to Manage Anxiety and Stress
Like any form of exercise, skateboarding can help to release feel-good endorphins that can improve your mood and reduce stress levels. Skateboarding can also be a great way to take your mind off of whatever is causing you anxiety or stress, even if just for a little while.
3. Encourages You to Be Creative
There are no rules when it comes to skateboarding, which means that you can let your creativity run wild. Whether you’re inventing new tricks or coming up with creative ways to get around town, skateboarding is a great way to express your individuality.
4. Teaches You to Be Resilient
Falling down is inevitable when you’re learning to skateboard. But each time you fall, you’ll get back up and try again. This resilience will carry over into other areas of your life, teaching you that it’s okay to make mistakes and that it’s important to keep trying.
5. Connects You with Others
Skateboarding is a great way to meet new people and connect with others who share your interests. Whether you’re joining a skate crew or simply skating around your neighborhood, you’re sure to make some new friends along the way.
6. Skateboarding Keeps Your Mind Sharp
Because skateboarding requires split-second decisions and quick reflexes, it’s a great way to keep your mind sharp. Skateboarding also helps to improve your hand-eye coordination, balance, and focus – all of which are important for cognitive health.
7. It Is a Great Way to De-Stress
If you’re feeling stressed, skateboarding can be a great way to blow off some steam. It clears your mind and relaxes, even if just for a little while.
8. Can Help You Quit Smoking
If you’re trying to quit smoking, it can be a great way to keep your hands busy and distracted from cigarettes. Skateboarding can also help to improve your lung health, making it an ideal activity for those who are trying to quit smoking.
9. Keeps You Young
It is a great way to stay young, both mentally and physically. It helps to keep your mind active and engaged, and it also helps to keep your body moving and healthy.
Skating regularly can help to reduce the risk of developing age-related diseases, and it can also help you to maintain a youthful appearance.
10. Increases Self-Esteem
Skateboarding is a great way to boost your self-esteem and confidence. Learning new tricks and mastering old ones can give you a sense of accomplishment, while also helping you to see yourself in a positive light.
11. It Teaches You to Be Supportive
When you skateboard, you quickly learn that it’s not all about you. Skateboarding is a team sport, and even if you’re skating alone, you’ll likely run into other skaters who can offer helpful advice or simply be supportive.
This can help to teach you the importance of being supportive and working together towards a common goal.
12. Skateboarding Makes You Happy
Last but not least, skateboarding is simply fun! When you’re having fun, you’re bound to be happy. It is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, and simply have a good time.
Executive Functions Used:
Focus:
The true art of skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding is not in performing tricks but rather it’s concentration. Whether landing a kick-flip or ollie lengthier than usual; these sports require intense focus on one task at hand.
Having a sharp focus on the task at hand can help children avoid distractions and be more prepared for sudden obstacles in their path.
Planning:
Those who enjoy skateboarding or surfing can plan out their tricks for the day. You may want them to write a schedule with specific times and goals so that they know when all of these cool moves will be accomplished!
Flexibility:
Skaters and snowboarders alike need to be flexible with their thinking so they can change plans on the fly.
Working Memory:
You need to be able to remember what you’re doing and where you’re going while you’re skateboarding or snowboarding.
Skateboarding improves empathy and mental and social health
A recent study has shown that skateboarding can improve empathy and mental and social health. The study, which was conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder, found that skateboarding can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
The study’s lead author, Laura Schewitz, said that skateboarding can be a great way to improve mental health. “Skateboarding requires split-second decision making, and this can help to train the brain to be more flexible and adaptable,”
she said. “This type of cognitive flexibility has been linked to reduced stress and anxiety, and improved mental health.”
The study’s participants were asked to skateboard for 30 minutes a day, three days a week. After eight weeks, the participants showed significant improvements in their mental health. They also had increased levels of empathy and social connectedness.
So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your mental health, consider skateboarding. It’s a great workout, it’s fun, and it might just make you a better person.
Are you looking for a full-body workout?
Well, start skating seriously. In Skateboarding, you need to regularly move and adjust your legs, hands, knees, and head. That’s where Skateboarding becomes useful as an overall healthy workout. It helps in toning your muscles, improving your flexibility, and burning calories.
Develops balance and coordination
On top of that, Skateboarding also develops your balance and coordination. As you need to control the movement of your skateboard while keeping your body balanced, it requires a lot of coordination between your mind and body. This is why Skateboarding can help to improve your mental health in a number of ways.
Build Your Muscles
As mentioned earlier, skating regularly helps in toning your muscles and improving your flexibility. But did you know that Skateboarding can also help to build your muscles?
In Skateboarding, you constantly need to push the skateboard, which requires a lot of leg strength. As you keep doing this, it helps in building the muscles in your legs, especially your calves and quadriceps. In addition, Skateboarding also helps to build the muscles in your arms, shoulders, and back.
Multi-Tasking
Multi-tasking is an essential part of life. Skating helps you excel at other outdoor sports like cycling, swimming and even driving!
Not only that but by doing so we learn how to start falling correctly or stopping when necessary as well as mastering any new tricks – all while using our brains (eyes), hands & feet… Plus it’s fun!!
FAQs
Can skateboarding cure depression?
Skateboarding may just be the key to emotional well-being, according t o a recent study conducted by researchers at University of Exeter. They found that skateboarders who had depression in their 30s reported less empathy than others.
In addition, skateboarding can help to clear your mind and give you a sense of calm. It can also be a great way to release built-up frustrations and anger.
What part of the brain does skateboarding use?
You might be thinking, ” Skating and brain?” But the truth is that skateboarding utilizes many different parts of our brains to perform tricks smoothly.
The cerebellum plays an essential role in balance control as well as coordinated movement; it helps us stay oriented when we’re on a moving surface like ice or stairs (and not just one).
It also allows for visually guided speed skating by providing feedback about where each foot should go next so you can avoid crashing into objects along your path!
What happens to your brain when you skateboard?
Skateboarders often experience feelings or elevated moods because they are releasing endorphins while skating.
Skating can help prevent symptoms associated with stress and anxiety, which is why it’s no surprise that many skaters become more laid back in their daily lives as well!
Why is skateboarding so relaxing?
Skaters often feel a sense of freedom while skateboarding that is unparalleled by any other form or activity. The sensory stimuli and social nature makes it an amazing way to relieve stress, as well; most importantly because you have the tenacity for whatever comes your way!
Does skateboarding release dopamine?
Skateboarding is exciting and dangerous which makes it the perfect sport for kids with ADHD. It releases dopamine in your brain, giving you that feeling of focus enforced by rewards!
Leave a Reply