Charles Varner St Augustine Discusses How Golf Can Improve Your Mental and Physical Well-Being

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 18, 2021 / Golf is a lifelong sport. It’s one that can be enjoyed from a young age through retirement. Avid golfer Charles Varner St Augustine recently discussed the mental and physical benefits the sport offers.

“It may seem obvious that golf is beneficial for physical well-being, but many people don’t know the benefits it offers mental health as well,” Charles Varner St Augustine said. “Playing golf regularly can improve one’s confidence, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. All of these contribute to superior mental wellbeing.”

Charles Varner St Augustine explained that physical activity is one of several proven effective treatments for anxiety and depression. Physical activity has even been shown to treat mild to moderate depression. Golf is an ideal activity for the improvement of mental health because it combines physical activity, the outdoors, and social interaction.

Varner cited a study from Medical News Today explaining the benefits of social interaction on mental health. Playing a round of golf with friends can generate dopamine, which improves mood and reduces pain. Similarly, sports like golf produce endorphins that have been proven to improve the mental state.

Individuals who average two and a half hours of some form of moderate exercise, such as golf, were proven less affected by depression in a recent study covered by Scientific American.

“Golf is a unique heart- and bone-healthy sport,” Charles Varner St Augustine said. “It requires several hours of walking in a single 18-hole round, while studies have shown that walking 2.5 hours per week can reduce the risk of heart attack by up to 40 percent.”

Varner added that regular moderate exercise, like the sport of golf, helps keep the bones strong. This can help prevent hip fractures and other accidents. Active people live roughly seven years longer than those who are inactive, so one could say that playing golf regularly is somewhat life-saving.

A study published in 2006 stated that the average golfer takes about 12,000 steps during an 18-hole round of golf. That is more than the recommended daily number of steps for superior health. Of course, that means you should forego the use of a golf cart if you’re hoping to get the maximum physical and mental benefits of exercise.

“There’s a reason roughly 55 million people play golf in more than 200 countries, and that’s because it’s challenging, healthy, and most importantly — fun,” Charles Varner St Augustine concluded. “It doesn’t matter your gender, age, or background, you can benefit physically and mentally from the sport of golf.”