For some, snowboarding is just a hobby.
For others… it’s a passion (or obsession!).
Either way, it can be good for your health – in more ways than one.
Whether you snowboard year-round or just once a season, snowboarding allows you to step outside of your day-to-day life.
Sure, this is great for your physical fitness… but the mental benefits of snowboarding are just as important.
Wait… You’ve never snowboarded before? Well, here’s why you should try it!
1. Stress Reduction and Mindfulness
Snowboarding demands focus and concentration, steering your thoughts away from everyday stressors. Hurtling down an icy mountain has a funny way of connecting you with the present moment!
Snowboarding is therefore a great way of accidentally practicing mindfulness. It helps you to shed your anxiety and immerse yourself in the winter landscape.
2. Problem-Solving and Decision Making
Snowboarding requires quick thinking and prompt decision-making. You’re constantly assessing the terrain, making split-second choices to navigate obstacles, and finding the best line down the mountain.
This nurtures mental agility and cognitive skills, invaluable assets in all areas of life.
3. Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem
Tackling a steep slope or mastering a new trick does wonders for your self-esteem. The achievement and progression creates a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. And rightfully so!
Even small victories can contribute to greater confidence, both on the slopes and in daily life.
4. Enhancing Creativity
Snowboarding encourages creative expression. From inventing new tricks to choosing unique lines, riders often tap into their creativity. This free-thinking approach translates into increased creativity in other areas of life too.
5. Social Connections and Community
Snowboarding involves spending time with friends and meeting some awesome new people. The sense of camaraderie and shared passion leads to deep connections and friendships. Once you’ve shared an epic powder day, you’re bonded for life!
6. Building Resilience and Overcoming Fear
Facing fears and overcoming challenges is inherent to snowboarding. Whether it’s tackling a difficult run or attempting a jump for the first time. The sport therefore teaches resilience and perseverance – to both kids and adults.
These experiences help build up mental fortitude, which can be applied to other challenges in life. You got this!
7. Enhanced Mood
Physical exercise (including snowboarding) releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood booster. This is enhanced even more when you’re passionate about the sport in question.Â
And the effects aren’t just immediate, they can last for several days or even weeks [source].Â
8. Improved Mental Sharpness
Remember how I said snowboarding is physically demanding? Well, it’s also very mentally demanding.
When snowboarding, you’ll never stop focusing. Stay sharp or pay the price!
Challenging yourself to stay focused for a prolonged period does wonders for your mental awareness. Not only will you have better focus, but your depth perception, agility, and coordination will improve as a result.
Do you ever struggle to stay focused? Try snowboarding. You’ll stay focused all day long!
9. Improved Sleep Quality
Increasing your exercise and vitamin D levels (via the great outdoors!) is proven to improve sleep quality. Better sleep leads to more energy, improved mood and reduced anxiety.Â
Why Is Snowboarding Good for Your Mental Health?
What’s good for your body, is good for your mind!
Everyone knows that snowboarding is a physically demanding sport. You don’t necessarily need to ride like Shaun White in order to push your physical limits.
Simply slaying the mountain every day will give your some pretty sore muscles. And you know what that means? Toned legs, baby!
Your core is going to get stronger and more toned too. Plus, you’re gonna burn a lot of calories. In fact, you should burn around 400 calories/hour.
Healthy Body = Healthy Brain
According to Columbia Sportswear, snowboarding is good for your lungs, heart, and will even improve your cardiovascular system.
How does any of this relate to mental health?
Well, any health professional will tell you that exercising regularly is the key to keeping your brain healthy. Physical activity also releases dopamine, commonly known as the “happy hormone.”
Exercise subsequently keeps your brain focused, happy, sharp, and attentive. And snowboarding just happens to be one of the coolest forms of exercise ever!
Spoiler Alert: Nature is Good For You!
Get off your phone!
Shut down your laptop!
It’s time to become one with nature!
Apologies for being dramatic, I just freaking love nature. Getting outside is also known to be hugely beneficial for your mental health.
In fact, WebMD says that simply taking a walk is proven to improve your mental state. Now imagine what snowboarding can do!
Snowboarding Days reached out to Sam Vermaat, 8th place finisher in the 2023 Snowboarding World Championships: Men’s Big Air.
We asked him how snowboarding has helped his mental health.
"Snowboarding allows me to feel free and do my own thing in a creative way. Also, when I ride my snowboard, I forget all the stressful events that are going on in my life. I can just focus on my riding, which almost feels like meditating to me."
I mean, that sounds pretty convincing to me. How ’bout you?
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the mental benefits of snowboarding are pretty monumental.
It’s a miracle that I’m managing to write this in the off-season, without breaking down into wistful looks towards the snow-less mountains.
(I mean seriously, how long has this summer been!?)
But anyway, I think we all agree that snowboarding can be amazing for both your physical and mental health.
If you’ve yet to try snowboarding, please give it a try. Admittedly it’s a little hard at first, but that’s all part of the fun!
Plus, myself and the team are here to help in whatever way we can.
Happy riding buddy!
