How Pickleball Benefits the Mind in 3 Powerful (Social) Ways

Aside from being known for its fun and fast-paced game, pickleball has become an underrated mental wellness tool. 

In today’s world, any way you can improve your well-being is welcome. This game really does have the magic to impact your mind, mood, social connection, and then the awesome benefits of fitness by keeping the body moving.

It’s this unique combination of community, focus, and joy that’s helping explain why millions flock to the courts. 

Here are the three mental well-being advantages you can derive from picking up a paddle.

Builds Community and Counteracts Loneliness

Although a lot of us don’t admit it, we’re finding loneliness is now a constant companion in our lives. We lose our partners, friends drift away, and amid an increasingly digital world, pickleball provides an effective remedy for isolation. 

The sport is social, basically at its core. 

Why? That’s simple – most games are played in doubles, which involves partnership and communication, and at one point, it also requires teamwork. It’s also a small court, and it encourages you to talk between points and between games while waiting for your turn. Basically, it’s a high-activity, low-stress social setting with plenty of opportunities for various interactions.

Pickleball CAN be competitive, but it usually is all about letting off steam and de-stressing, which makes it very attractive for casual players. And if you wish to join a league or a tournament, you always can.

This model obviously has a low-stress, extremely interactive social setting. 

Unlike a lot of games that are incredibly competitive, a small town’s pickleball culture is very inclusive and welcoming. 

In today’s culture, where texting is preferred to talking, this sport is a win-win opportunity.

Intentional Sport

Pickleball is not so much a ball game as a game that shows your brain a little bit about the world.

It takes continuous tactical thinking, like how to get your shots in, understanding your opponent’s position, and strategizing with your partner. You are totally pulled out of your head with this expectation of awareness in the present moment. 

You can’t effectively be concerned about a work deadline or a personal stressor while tracking a fast-moving wiffle ball, then positioning yourself for a dink shot. 

This immersion makes for what psychologists call a ‘flow state’, which basically means that you get into a mental state of deep and effortless focus/concentration. You’re completely absorbed in what you’re doing.

It’s almost like meditation, but active. This state helps lower stress and anxiety. 

Or as PickleballNation’s CEO Todd Skezas said, “Pickleball blends physical movement with mental engagement and social connection in a way that few sports can”.

Flow state helps players be immersed in the experience, and the more they’re invested, the stronger the effect. One great way of immersing yourself deeper into the flow state is getting equipment that suits you and your playstyle the best.

Think about it – just as a golfer chooses a precise club to play with, pickleball players select gear suited to the strategy they intend to pursue. 

Enthusiasts often go for products like Pickleball Nation elongated pickleball paddles that give increased reach, power, and spin.

Sites like these often not only offer a wide range of different types of paddles, but they also go into great depth about which type of paddle is best for which type of player, which is helpful if you’re looking to get better at the sport.

Playful Joy

Life in adulthood generally pushes unstructured play to the side of life’s schedule, but pickleball brings it back in great short order. 

Joy seems to be a search these days, and when you can get a heartfelt joy out of some of the silly elements like the nickname, the ‘pop’ sound of the ball, and the unpredictability of the shots, I mean, chasing a plastic ball around a court has a true sense of playfulness. 

This pure, joyful play is highly therapeutic. 

It triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Laughter shared after a quirky point, or the joy of a good shot, delivers positive emotion that you can soak up for hours after the game is over.

It’s an exercise that’s enjoyable – it doesn’t come off as a chore (or bore) – and an excellent routine for your long-term mental maintenance.

Get All The Benefits

Don’t sit on the benefits pickleball gives you; use them! Take full advantage of the mental health benefits of pickleball, suck it all up, buttercup:

• The Social Vibe: Don’t just play with the same person(s)/friends. There are always people looking for players at your local recreation center. Even joining a tournament or a league could bring new people into your life. 
• Emphasize the Fun (Not Just the Score): Keeping track of scores is fun, especially if you’re winning. No denying that. But don’t make scoring the main focus. Focus on the enjoyment of the actual game. If you enjoy what you’re doing, your score will be even better.
• Show Up on the Court: Relax the day-of stresses when you go between the lines. Notice the sound of the ball; feel the texture of your feet; even the way you work with regard to the point.
• Be Open to the Learning Challenge: Let yourself be a beginner. Learning a new skill is an intrinsically rewarding and robust process for the brain.

Conclusion

The reason pickleball works as a mental health resource is that it doesn’t have the effect of being therapy. 

It is in the sense of community, participation, and playfulness.  In a universe that can feel so disjointed and stressful, you have this wonderful activity that lets you hang out with new friends and ‘gold’ friends, clear your mind, keep fit, and find your joy. 

It’s a pickleball state of mind.