How Extreme Sports Can Be Good For You
Skydiving
Posted by: Skydive Key West 5 months ago
Wait … you’re saying there are actual health benefits of skydiving? It’s not just all fun and games? Precisely!
When you think of extreme sports, the immediate rush of adrenaline is probably the first thing that comes to mind. And while there are benefits of adrenaline rush, the health benefits of extreme sports stretch far beyond that. What are the benefits of extreme sports? Beyond the thrill, extreme activities like skydiving offer a multitude of health benefits. Let’s dive in!
Effects Of Extreme Sports On The Brain
Does skydiving improve mental health? You betcha! The positive effects of skydiving on the brain are immense!
Stress relief.
Imagine standing at the edge of an open airplane door and peering out at the world below. Sounds pretty dang stressful, yeah? That intensity is precisely what makes extreme sports like skydiving so incredible for your brain.
The flood of adrenaline from jumping (or doing another extreme activity) sort of resets all your stress levels. The intentional focus required for a jump forces your mind to release everyday worries, and actually leaves you feeling calm and relaxed. The mental clarity and renewed perspective is a huge health benefit of pushing ourselves out of our (physical and mental) comfort zones. People who skydive consistently often joke that they do so because it’s cheaper than therapy – who would’ve thought!?
Increased confidence.
The accomplishment from taking the leap directly translates into a newfound belief in yourself – you freakin’ did it! This confidence boost helps to conquer other fears or challenges, big and small, in your everyday life. Although this benefit is a result of jumping one time, imagine the surge in self-confidence that comes from doing it multiple times or even learning to skydive solo.
Endorphins.
Our body’s ‘happy hormones’ (i.e. endorphins) are released in abundance anytime we do an extreme sport like skydiving! The thrill of the jump, stunning views, and overall beautifully surreal experience cause a powerful endorphin release. This leaves us with a strong sense of euphoria and is one reason many choose to skydive as a celebration.
Effects Of Extreme Sports On The Body
All that adrenal energy has to go somewhere! Extreme sports like skydiving offer a full-body boost that can keep you in tip-top shape. Why go to the gym and lift weights (borringgg), when you could toss yourself from an airplane with your best friends? Extreme sports make staying in shape fun, which is how it’s meant to be.
Cardiovascular health.
The increase in heart rate from extreme sports gives your cardiovascular system a boost. The physical effort required to control our bodies in freefall and pilot the canopy in the air engages multiple muscle groups and is truly a full-body workout. Repeatedly doing this helps our bodies to increase stamina, making our next jumps successively easier.
Strength and flexibility.
Skydiving is physically demanding. Don’t let this push you away from trying it out! Over time, all the bending, squatting, flying in freefall, steering the parachute, and packing it will lead to more muscle tone and an overall increase in strength and flexibility. Want your body to be more capable and resilient? Give skydiving a go!
Increased coordination.
Extreme sports all have something in common: they happen fast. Constantly practicing calculated and controlled movements enhances hand-eye coordination and overall motor skills, even after you leave the dropzone. Being able to quickly adapt sharpens reflexes and spatial awareness – this trains your body to work in harmony and makes every task that much more efficient.
Effects Of Extreme Sports Socially
There’s something special about conquering fears together. Forging deep connections with those who share a similar mindset, experiencing personal growth, and building a sense of community are all social health benefits from extreme sports.
Sense of community.
Skydiving, and other extreme sports, create a tight-knit community of people from all walks of life who share a passion for the sport. This sense of community is built on trust, support, and a shared desire to live life to the absolute fullest.
Personal growth.
Triumphing over the challenges presented in extreme sports builds patience, trust in oneself, and lots of self-discipline. Skydiving pushes you to set and achieve goals, and after some progression through the sport, you’ll find yourself evolving as a skydiver and individual. The never-ending journey of growth is one of the best health benefits of skydiving and other demanding sports. Skydivers often say, “The learning never stops,” And it’s true in all aspects of the sport.
Overcoming fear.
The act of jumping out of an airplane – or surfing, rock climbing, BASE jumping, snowboarding, and other thrilling activities – challenges your preset limits and physically forces you to confront your anxieties. Each jump builds courage and proves that you really can do it. This newfound bravery translates into life on the ground, enabling you to see challenges as opportunities, rather than obstacles. Combine this with the previously mentioned support from the skydiving community and you have an unmatched experience!
From relieving stress and boosting confidence, to improving cardiovascular health and being a member of the best community, the health benefits of skydiving are vast! Ready to feel them for yourself? It all starts with a tandem jump – come skydive with us!