{"id":26921,"date":"2023-02-14T10:33:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T10:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/?p=26921"},"modified":"2023-05-10T18:49:18","modified_gmt":"2023-05-10T18:49:18","slug":"sleep-benefits-of-pickleball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/sleep-benefits-of-pickleball\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sleep and Health Benefits of Pickleball"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you haven\u2019t played pickleball yet, the odds are high that you\u2019ll get the chance to play soon. This fun, friendly game between groups of two or four is officially the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know regular exercise benefits sleep<\/a>, but does that mean playing pickleball can help you catch more or better shuteye? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find out, we talked to Rachel MacPherson<\/a>, a certified personal trainer<\/a> and pain-free performance specialist. Below, we dive into the basics of pickleball, its sleep and health benefits, and how to play for better sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is pickleball? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The folks at USA Pickleball<\/a> describe the sport as \u201cfun, social, and friendly.\u201d Games look like a mashup between tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Though pickleball courts exist, you can also play the game on a badminton court or modified tennis court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To play, two or four people face off on opposite sides of a netted court. They use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball once it\u2019s served and allowed to bounce at least once on each side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, the player or team to reach 11 points first<\/a> wins. Teams get a point when the other side messes up by missing the ball or knocking it out of bounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of pickleball for sleep and health <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Playing pickleball is fun, but it\u2019s also great for your sleep and overall health. If you keep it up, your body and mind will reap the benefits of regular exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNoticeable health benefits of starting a regular fitness routine like pickleball include better sleep, better mood, and reduced stress levels,\u201d says MacPherson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She says the sport can also improve your heart health<\/a>, which will help everyday tasks feel easier. If you start playing pickleball after a season of no physical activity, you might also notice the sport improves your arm strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers have pinpointed a clear relationship between sleep and exercise<\/a>. In a 2017 review<\/a> of 34 studies, 29 found that exercising can improve sleep quality and duration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MacPherson says regular physical activity helps you sleep better because it improves your energy balance, helps you destress, and even increases your body\u2019s feel-good hormones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, you\u2019ll feel happier and more relaxed after playing pickleball or participating in another physical activity. When you\u2019re more relaxed and less stressed, you tend to fall and stay asleep more easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even better: The relationship between sleep and exercise goes both ways<\/a>. \u201cExercise helps you sleep better, and better sleep improves your exercise performance,\u201d explains MacPherson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to play pickleball to improve your sleep <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MacPherson says there\u2019s conflicting research on whether evening exercise is good or bad for sleep. She suggests paying close attention to how you feel after you play pickleball. If you notice trouble sleeping after an evening match, try to schedule your next game earlier in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re interested in making pickleball a part of your weekly fitness routine, here are some tips for making the activity benefit your sleep too:<\/p>\n\n\n\n