We know we keep harping on about how good paddling is for your mental health, but really, it is great!

If you need more convincing though, we’ve made a list of 10 reasons why paddling is great for everything from busting bad moods to helping improve more serious issues such as depression and anxiety.

Take a look, you’ll definitely want to pick up a paddle and head outside by the end! You might also want to check out our Nine Health Benefits of Paddling blog here.

Why paddling is good for your mental health

1. You can boost your mood just by being outside. Exercise in the “blue gym” more often and you’ll find an improvement in your physical and mental well-being.
2. At the risk of sounding like your old PE teacher, exercise is good for you! It can help you boost your mood and can tackle depression and anxiety too!
3. Did you know? If you exercise on or near water and greenery it has been shown to reduce depression and anger, as well as improve confidence.
4. Paddling will introduce a little variety into your life. Variety is the spice of life after all, and there’s so many places you can paddle! Get planning your next paddle adventure for some R&R.
5. You can improve your self esteem through setting goals to acheive. With so much variety within paddling, you’ll never run out of goals!
6. Paddling is a form of ‘moving meditation.’ That’s right, not all meditations include sitting on a mat chanting you know!
7. You’ll get more vitamin D. If you’re low in vitamin D, it has been found to play a large role in mood disorders such as depression. You can boost your levels of vitamin D just by being outside and enjoying the space.
8. Remember as a kid when you used to do handstands and the world looked weird upside down? Well, life looks different from the water too. Paddling offers a unique perspective of the world… one you’re not very often exposed to. Seeing the world from a different angle gives you a fresh perspective.
9. You can make new friends and form new social groups with people who have similar interests. Building new social groups is never a negative! More people to talk to, interact with and learn from… bonus!
10. If we’ve not already sold it to you, we’ve left the simplest reason until last. It’s fun, and having fun makes us happy!

Doctors are now even prescribing activities out in nature, including kayaking and paddle boarding. Check out a recent interview with one of the pioneers of this method that British Canoeing did.