Travel and living

5 reasons why a tennis holiday is a brilliant idea

We often pigeon-hole holidays as a chance to relax. Working hard all year round, it’s come to be expected that our summer break will involve … erhm well nothing but lolling around. For some of us the idea of doing absolutely nothing sends a proverbial chill down the spine.

Even if we think we are looking forward to doing nothing at all, when we get to it we don’t much like it at all. We imagine we’re going to love having the space to unwind and make the most of not doing very much at all. But, when it comes to it we spend the whole time fidgeting and thinking about what we should be doing when we get back home. Sound familiar? Then perhaps a tennis break would serve you (get the pun) very much better than the sunlounger. And here’s why.freferfe

  1. You won’t fall off of your workout routine

Holiday season is notorious for putting the spanner in the works when it comes to exercise. As we force ourselves to relax on our annual getaway, we also give ourselves permission to eat more and exercise less. Despite good intentions, our holiday exercise routine usually gets less each day and by day 3 we’ve reached a big fat zero on the exercise front. Don’t dispute it. It’s a fact.

On a tennis break, you’ll be ramping up the exercise, rather than winding it down. Instead of fidgeting on the sunlounger, you’ll be focused on winning the match.

  1. You can eat well

When we are in a good place with our exercise routine, the tendency is to eat well too. It’s a natural alliance. For your health and wellbeing a tennis break is a win-win. Fit people want healthy food (more often than not). Even if you’re a complete novice and new to the exercise routine, after a few games of tennis you’ll find your food choices becoming more health conscious ones.

Stress eating is common, and exercise is one of the most powerful tools available for reducing stress. Physical activity and eating behaviour are connected. It’s a fact that regular exercise and physical fitness can control our appetite. Regular exercise positively affects blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, and it can alter gut appetite-regulating hormones.

Did you know an acute period of exercise can suppress appetite for up to 2 hours afterwards? So choosing a tennis holiday could be good for your waist line in more ways than one.

  1. You can holiday alone

If you are taking a holiday alone, tennis breaks are a great option. Not only do you get the chance to meet other like-minded people, you’ll get to play against a whole raft of different players. It will stretch your social skills as much as it will stretch your game.

Taking a tennis holiday by yourself is a great way to get away from the daily grind without the usual pressures of a singleton holiday. You’ll have a routine each day with coaching and fitness sessions, as well as matches to play. Most tennis holidays are quite structured and have the options of spas or other activities, so you won’t be left reading your book and feeling awkward as might be the case in a normal holiday resort.

  1. You can up your game

If you love tennis, but your game has plateaued, then a tennis holiday could be just what you need. Intense training and the chance to get a new angle of coaching could do your game and your technique the power of good. You may even get the chance to play with a pro. Think of all those surprise wins when you get back to your home league.

  1. You can work off your frustrations and de-stress

If you’re feeling wound up like a tight spring, then a tennis break could be just what you need, especially if you’re not good at letting go. As Billie Jean King once said “Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquillity.”

For some of us relaxing by the pool just doesn’t cut it. For those who need an active break, tennis holidays are perfect. Playing tennis is a great way to de-stress. When we exercise we reduce the risk of major illnesses. It’s good for our mental/emotional health as well. During exercise we produce endorphins – chemicals in the brain that act as feel-good neurotransmitters. We also sleep better after exercise. All of these factors help to reduce stress.

According to the Harvard Medical School. “Aerobic exercise is the key for your head, just as it is for your heart. It has a unique capacity to exhilarate and relax, to provide stimulation and calm, to counter depression and dissipate stress.”

Go on, book your tennis break. It could relax you more than a relaxing holiday!

If you have any questions, please ask below!