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Archery is gaining in popularity and for very good reasons. Besides enjoying spending time in nature, archery comes with a host of health benefits from keeping your mind sharp to building your physical stamina. So whether you are a beginner to an expert in tournaments, young or old, there is something for everyone, according to Archery 360.
The sport is so good for you, that doctors in France actually prescribe archery to patients as a health activity, according to World Archery. That’s why the French Archery Federation is running courses for coaches about the benefits of archery for your physical and mental wellbeing. Here are five beneficial reasons to take up archery.
Helps to Relieve Stress
Stress is one of the leading causes of many medical conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions. One of the best ways to relieve stress is by physical exercise.
Another way to destress is through meditation but it doesn’t have to be a passive form of sitting cross legged and repeating mantras. Active meditation, like walking or archery are a form of meditation which could improve your mood and help ease anxiety, explained Archery 360.
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Strengthens Muscles
There is a great deal of physical strength required to pull back on a full-sized bow, according to Modern Mississauga. Every time you pull, you are strengthening the muscles of your shoulder, chest, and arm, as well as building up physical endurance. This will actually make it easier for you to draw a bow and target practice longer and longer as time goes on.
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Improves Focus
Besides the physical strength needed, there is a lot of skill and mental focus required to hit the target. Just like in meditation, you have to clear your mind and focus on the task at hand which is precisely placing the arrow and pulling back on the bow string to let it soar. This skill requires a lot of practice and can carry over into other aspects of your life.
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Could Aid Heart Health
Archery is also a great way to improve your cardiovascular system, explained Trending US because pulling back on a bow elevates your heart rate and going back and forth to retrieve arrows also helps to give you a good heart-healthy workout.
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Improves Hand-Eye Coordination
Hand-eye coordination is an important part of our daily activities like driving a car, knitting, or tying your shoes, according to Modern Mississauga. And archers have to perfect this coordination in order to shoot a bow. You need to aim at the target and coordinate that with your brain which tells you what adjustments need to be made, and with your arm. Like so much else in life, the more you practice, the better you get. So aim high and let your arrow soar.
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