Paddle Your Way to a Better You
With so much going on in the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be hard to find the time to slow down and do something just for you. Fitting in both a workout and a chance to unwind and relax your mind can feel close to impossible. But what if there was an activity that allowed you to do both?
Paddle boarding offers both a total body workout and a way to relieve stress and anxiety, promoting a calm mind and a better work/play balance. If stand up paddling is part of your regular daily routine, then you’re one step ahead of most people and can probably attest to the stress relief and calming outlet it offers. If it’s not yet part of your routine, or if you’re looking to focus on your mental fitness a little more than usual, then read on.
#1: Paddle Boarding is Good for Your Brain
Paddle boarding requires mental focus. You need to pay attention to your body, your board, your paddle, the water, the landscape, and your fellow paddlers. Sure, you can paddle along and get lost in thought, but chances are you won’t be stressing over your to do list while taking in beautiful scenery, riding a wave, or challenging yourself to an all-time best time against the clock.
If you’re practicing new maneuvers, trying out a new board, or getting your blood pumping with a high-octane workout, paddle boarding is the best way to get your mind in line. If home, work or social stress is stressing you out, hop on your stand up paddle board to shift your focus and get things right in your head.
#2: Paddle Boarding is Good for Your Body
We’ve said it a million times and we’ll say it again—stand up paddle boarding does your body good. Even sitting on a paddle board and paddling along with a gentle flowing current is a great workout. Go hard, and you could burn over 1,000 calories in a single stand up paddle session.
Stand up paddling requires your body’s full attention, from your eyes, head, neck and shoulders to your arms, core, legs, and butt. Who has time to think about deadlines or office meetings when your board and the water require your full attention—not you.
If stress is getting to you, put a little extra thought into working your entire body during your next SUP workout. Think about your posture, balance, technique and maybe challenge yourself to go a little harder than usual.
Pro Tip: if you’ve been thinking about learning a new SUP skill, there’s no better time to tackle the challenge than when you’re suffering from maximum stress. So go ahead and ride those rapids. You need a new focus!
#3: Paddle Boarding is Good for Your Zen
The concentration SUP requires is healthy for mind and body even under calm conditions. Commune with nature all by your lonesome or bond with your SUP buddies during an epic group outing. It’s all good for your soul.
But if you want to get serious about adding more zen to your life (and less stress), then SUP yoga needs to make your list of what to try next.
If you haven’t tried a basic yoga pose on your iROCKER yet, challenge yourself to try one on your next outing. For starters, we recommend the good ol’ warrior pose. You can practice on stable ground first. Practice is good for muscle memory and will help you master the pose when you’re actually balancing on the water. (It’s harder than it looks, but so worth it!)
Bonus: The Ultimate Stress Buster
Sometimes, the best stress buster is treating yourself to something new. And if you did master that full wheel pose, then you deserve a little treat!
Our iROCKER team is always working on new bells and whistles for our award-winning boards. We’re also always on the lookout for accessories to make the SUP life better every day. Check out our full line of accessories that will bring a smile to your face in even the most stressful times.
Hint: For less stress during set up, you definitely need an iROCKER Electric Pump in your life.
