Longevity. What a Racket.
If you’re looking for the Fountain of Youth, don’t bother booking a flight to some overpriced wellness resort in Bali. Pick up a racket – it just might help you stick around longer:
Tennis
A 2020 study in the International Journal of Exercise Science found that people over 45 who regularly whack a ball across the net tend to have lower rates of heart disease and obesity. Plus 2024 British survey found that weekly players reported a 13% higher sense of well-being than those who didn’t play.
Pickleball
Yeah, yeah—everyone’s talking about it. But there’s a reason: it works. A 2023 review found that pickleball players report lower stress, less depression, and a higher sense of meaning and purpose. In other words, it makes people happy. Maybe that’s why 32 to 50 million Americans gave it a go last year.
Besides the exercise, what’s the secret sauce? People. Yep, being social. Which is huge for your mental and physical health. So grab a racket, then go grab a beer…with the person you just beat the snot out of.
Image: Anatolii Cherkas/Vecteezy
Medical Disclaimer: Heads up, gang. The information expressed here is not to be mistaken for medical advice. It’s merely a morsel of education for you to chew on, like a mental snack. If it sparks your interest, talk to a trusted health practitioner. It isn’t meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. And if you’re dealing with a medical emergency, good God, man, call 911 ASAP.
