Why Tennis is Great for Holistic Health

What's your favorite sport to play? I am a very active person and play competitive tennis three days per week.  I take a weight training class at the gym and also practice yoga two mornings per week.  In addition, I enjoy dancing, power walks, and hiking.  I consider tennis my main activity, and the others are secondary to make me a great player. 
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This is a photo from from a fun a tennis event with the former world #1, Olympic champion, and Tennis Hall of Fame player, Lindsey Davenport; pretty cool! She was incredible to be on the court with. (I'm next to her in the red dress.)

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​Holistic health involves many lifestyle factors that support well-being:

• Physical activity
• Dietary Habits
• Mental Attitude
• Family relationships
• Work Relationships
• Social Relationships

​Tennis is a perfect example of an activity that supports holistic health!

Here's how it enhances my well-being:

Physical Activity: Tennis is a great sport for keeping the entire body in good physical condition. It involves quick burst of energy akin to sprints. Burst training puts the body in fat-burning mode! Tennis both builds muscle and is great cardio. Good balance, core strength, and quick feet are vital.  The activity involved in playing A-level tennis is rigorous, but I am careful not to train too hard and take some low-impact weeks off when needed. Tennis can be a lifetime sport if proper techniques are used.

Mental Attitude: Tennis is a very mental sport and my mind needs to be unencumbered and my muscles loose in order to perform well.  I love it when tennis turns into an active meditation; that's when I'm "in the zone". It is then that swing freely with confidence.  I especially like to play singles tennis, because I mentally coach myself through the match.  A common challenge is the mental burn-out factor in tennis, especially when the competition is fierce.    I find yoga peaceful and a welcome change to the rigors of tennis. 

Social Relationships: My social life is filled with friends from tennis and the gym.  The social aspect of tennis is very enjoyable, and everywhere we have moved across the country, I have an instant group of friends once I join a tennis team.    Most ladies who play tennis are also health conscious, highly-educated, and have strong personalities.  We support each other’s healthy habits, work together as a team, and learn from each other.  I even like the fun tennis dresses and lunches.

Work Relationships : I do not work outside the home, but I am the captain of several teams throughout the year, which is often like a part-time job.  I enjoy making decisions and gaining respect as a team leader, organizing charity tennis events, working with other captains, and the networking involved within the tennis community.  My team supports me through appreciation and cooperation, and I feel a sense of worth in a job well done.  

Dietary Habits:  I eat a very nutritious diet in order to have the energy needed to support my activities, to foster a positive physical and mental state of well-being and to be a good example to my family.  My diet focuses on nutrient density and eating whole foods such as grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, eggs, organic vegetables, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats.  I have eliminated foods which cause inflammation in my body, including grains, legumes, dairy, processed sugars, and other refined foods.  I eat plenty of protein to foster muscle building. My body burns fat for fuel instead of refined carbs, so I eat a big breakfast with ghee or coconut oil, yummy!  I want to eat healthy in order to perform my best on the tennis court.

Now... What are you​ waiting for?!  ​Just pick up a racquet and play!

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