Why I prescribe Pickleball

The Importance of Play in Adulthood,

 Is someone nagging you to come play pickleball? Are they driving you insane? Why won’t they shut up? Well, I hope to help you understand just why this is happening,  Why Pickleball is  the  fastest growing sport in America.  according to a 2022 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Pickleball, grew nearly 40 percent between 2019 and 2021, making it America’s fastest-growing sport..

  There is no sign of it slowing down. It will keep growing, and growing. According to Real Sports with Bryan Gumbal., in 2030 , the projected number of players are 40 million.

 40 million players.  What is going on?

In case somehow you don’t already know this,  Pickleball  is a sport, a combination of ping pong, tennis and badminton. It is played on a small court, usually with doubles.  It’s also likened to chess on a playground. Four pickleball courts can fit on one tennis court.  That means you can’t help but make new connections, inevitably. you will be fending balls that have flown at you from another court next to you. Communities are springing up all over the country, with pickleball as their touchstone. And we can’t help ourselves, because of it’s health benefits, we want you to try it!

In my clinical  practice I “prescribe” many different types of outdoor therapy, such as surf therapy,  developed by Natalie Small, LMFT. Surf therapy is rooted in play, nature and community; and so it naturally follows that I also “prescribe” pickleball, because of its similar properties. 

 Some people say it is a cult, that we are all addicts. . Maybe you think I’m a cult member because  I am writing this.  I guess pickleball could be considered a cult? Does that make tennis a cult? or volleyball? Because pickleball  is on the rise for a very good reason.  Quite simply, it is one of the activities  that has just the right combination of benefits,  emotional and physical . More so than many other activities. Why? Because we find community more easily crammed together on a small court. So, if it  is a cult, it cult i’m happy to belong to.  

As a therapist, I specialize in play, community  and nature, for our bodies and our minds. I am fascinated seeing everyone become that kid on the playground again.  It harkens to our oldest childhood roots of play.  I see people who I could tell were left out when they were a kid.  I see  people like me who played and played for survival from difficult childhoods. I see all kinds of people of different ages, genders and races.

  I’m more than happy to say pickleball changed my life for the better. My new friends agree wholeheartedly . I’ve had many chats with my pickle community about how much happier we are, our moods are better., our health is better. 

On a very hot day this summer, I played with Natalie Small, LMFT, Founder of Groundswell Community Project

The woman wearing a towel? Just another fun story to laugh about

 Many, including my husband, make light of the sport. I watched a recent episode of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbal.  He sent one of his correspondents to travel  to cover the story of this “quirky “ game that is taking over parks, playgrounds and tennis courts all over the country..   At first I liked the piece because people were speaking to their loneliness, their depression, their health. Yes, I thought , FINALLY someone was speaking about our epidemic of loneliness, on a respected national show.   Most of the players they interviewed  attested to just that; playing pickle ball had been life changing, mostly because of just that; making connections.

 But then, I soured quickly .  They interviewed the comedian, Judy Gold , of whom I have been a fan on and off.   She lives right next to a court and struggles because of the noise., all day everyday.  She has been trying to make changes with the city council, to balance hers and the picklers (I guess that is what we are called) needs. But she is shot down by a certain bunch of pickler's.who show up every time.to keep that court open at all costs. This i can understand, because in any sport, there are always inconsiderate players, and I’m sure pickleball is no different.

Ms.. Gold continued to lose me more,  when she openly mocked a pickleball enthusiast In her act. She does an impression of a man saying  with a sad face and a flat whiny, voice, “ I didn't leave the house, but now I have pickleball’, emphasizing this with a laugh at how pathetic that is.

That just struck me in the gut.  Because, yes it is just a joke, and nothing is above being made fun of. That’s comedy.  But it felt  terrible. Because she was making fun of ME.  I was that lonely person, and my life has significantly changed.

Then, as I watched on, I realized why Ms. Gold made me feel really sad.  For what she apparently fails to understand, is that she is making fun of lonely people. Would it surprise you to know people were more likely to admit they were depressed than lonely?  It’s true .In  The Lonely American; Drifting Apart in the Twenty First Century, psychiatrists Jaqueline Olds and Richard S. Schwartz, cite census statistics such as the dramatic rise in single-person households and new social surveys that show an increase in narcissism and a decrease in the number of meaningful conversations people report having with anyone. Why this disturbing trend? Olds and Schwartz posit that the American myth of the self-reliant outsider heroizes going it alone; the contemporary lifestyle of overwork and busy-busy leaves little time for personal relationships; the shame of feeling left out causes many not to articulate their loneliness, even to themselves. 

I prescribe pickleball to many of my patients for this very reason, lonelinesss, isolation. I do telehealth mostly, or work on research, alone, in my house . It’s easy to just not go anywere. Thus, pickleball has become crucial to my mental health, to easing the pain of isolation and loneliness that can ensue. I can put my work down, pick up my gear, and head over to my pickleball community at the Bay Club, Carmel Valley. .and let’s face it, have recess. (note: you don’t have to belong to a club, most cities have open play at recreation centers).

Being lonely is nothing to be ashamed of, and there is nothing funny about loneliness.  

.At its worst, it can be fatal. We are human beings who strive for connection, in a world that increasingly does not.  We really are still more like hunters and gatherers evolutionary wise. With the explosion of the Industrial age  a mere 350 years ago, life changed very rapidly, too rapidly.  That is just 350 yrs out of 300,000 years for humans to adjust. Ancient humans relied on each other, because at that time. being alone then, made danger, possible death.  There just hasn’t been enough time for our  brains to adapt, and technology is changing at light speed, fast, and we can’t keep up. 

AND THEN COMES PICKLEBALL.  When someone casts doubts over my proclamation that they should at least try, I point them to an article written by Dr. Danuel Amen, a celebrated author and expert in neuroscience   In his article “7 ways Pickleball Benefits Your Brain”, he explains the neurological and physical benefits. Pickleball, he says…

.1 Improves blood flow to the brain.

Running around on a pickleball court gets your heart pumping, which boosts blood flow to the brain. This increases the supply of oxygen, glucose, and nutrients to the organ between your ears, enhancing overall brain health. In particular, heart-pounding exercise boosts blood flow to the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an area of the brain involved with attention, planning, and impulse control. A healthier PFC means better focus, decision-making, and follow-through. Typically, these traits add up to a happier, more fulfilling life.

2 Enhances cerebellum function.

The footwork and hand-eye coordination required to play pickleball activate the cerebellum, an area at the back bottom of the brain involved in cognitive flexibility and processing speed. Heightened activity of the cerebellum boosts these mental functions.

3. Increases gray matter.

Research from Brazil shows that physical activity that requires planning—such as deciding whether to smash the ball or dink it softly over the net—and complex movements result in higher gray matter volume. More gray matter volume is associated with increased ability to evaluate rewards and consequences, according to findings in a 2012 study in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience.

4. Strengthens the hippocampus.

Getting your body moving protects the hippocampus, structures located within the temporal lobes that are involved in the formation of memories. A 2011 study in PNAS found that aerobic exercise like pickleball increases the size of the hippocampus and improves memory. Pickleball also gives your memory a workout by making players remember the score and whose serve it is. Sounds simple, but scoring in this sport isn’t as easy as it seems, and it can be a real head-scratcher for beginners. You can only score points while serving, and the server must call out 3 numbers: their own team’s score then the other team’s score, followed by a 1 or a 2 to indicate if they are the first or second server on their team. Learning to keep score challenges your memory.

5. Produces mood-boosting neurochemicals.

Playing heart-pumping sports like pickleball allows more of the natural mood-enhancing amino acid L-tryptophan to enter the brain. L-tryptophan is the precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin that helps balance moods. Decades of research show that physical activities such as pickleball also help alleviate depression and anxiety. A study in The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine states that “exercise compares favorably to antidepressant medications as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression.” The researchers also say that physical activity is an effective treatment alternative for anxiety disorders.

6. Reduces cognitive impairment.

Physical exercise of any kind, such as pickleball, helps protect against cognitive decline and dementia, according to decades of research. A 2017 review suggested that potential mechanisms of this brain benefit may include the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (a sort of Miracle-Gro for the brain), along with improvements in insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular health, inflammation, and stress response.

7. Keeps the brain younger. The social bonding that comes with playing a group activity like pickleball helps combat loneliness and boosts mood. That’s not all. Animal research from The Ohio State University in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience shows that social connections preserve the mind. In this study involving older mice—the equivalent of post-retirement age in humans—animals that lived in groups not only had better memories than mice living in pairs, but they also had younger-looking brains.

.Exercise,. Community. Play. Three very important things that help to increase life satisfaction. That have the power to make our lives more full and more satisfying.    

The New York Times agrees, in Why is Pickleball So Popular (Septembe 3rd, 2022), author June Demelo presents results of what limited studies there are on Pickleball. “ 50 percent of people quit exercising six months after starting, research shows that picklers keep coming back to the court again and again, primarily because the game is so social” Most picklers are fun, athletic, and playful, and through this play, we develop and strengthen social bonds.

It’s not easy for an adult to make new friends, and play offers our best opportunity. 

 According to Gordon Nuefield, 

  ”True play requires relational support. On the other hand, attachments are more easily formed while in the play mode. In addition, the capacity for relationship unfolds first in the context of true play. And once relationships are formed, they are best preserved through play. These two basic human drives were meant to serve each other in remarkable ways but require a supporting culture of customs and rituals in order to do this”

 There-in lies the power of Pickleball.  Making connections,  keeping connections, and getting a cardio workout to boot. 

For me, making new friends , and re-connecting with old friends has been absolutely  wonderful. It’s exciting. Finding people to laugh with, really laugh. When is the last time you laughed so hard you couldn’t breathe? Or even just smiled and laugh a little?  Did you know that we get dopamine bursts when others give us compliments? Hearing “nice shot”, or “you look great” boosts your mood. Try it! Compliment someone during your day! Everyone needs a boost. sometimes one little compliment can make a person’s day. .

Some of the wonderful women (and men) I’ve met playing Pickleball. From left to right, Rosie, me, David, Ruth, Andrea, Farzenah. In front is Dianne, one of the biggest enthusiasts I have met!

Study after study has been demonstrated over and over that people who are lacking community, live shorter, less vibrant and less  healthy lives.  They recover more slowly from medical ailments and surgery.   Social support is crucial in navigating modern life.

With the encouragement of my new community, for the first time after years of chronic pain and illness, I felt supported enough to try to travel on my own to an adventure with Surf with Amigas and Groundswell Community Project. I didn’t think I had it in me. I traveled alone to Peru for a week before joining the retreat, where I rode waves I would have never thought I could. My pickle community was following my trip, encouraging me the whole time. 

I don’t say it lightly,  these trips were life-changing.  

Honestly , it all feels like a miracle .The thing is, I didn’t see this coming.  I didn’t foresee surfing in Peru on a wave, surrounded by women encouraging me, keeping me safe. I have surfed for years, yet never quite understanding how therapeutic the ocean is.    These retreats brought me to the next level.

I certainly  didn't foresee a sport like pickleball, with all of its health benefits emotionally and physically. It’s been a pleasant surprise.  It’s fun, simple as that.    

A society that is one  of increasing isolation for many reasons, meets a sport that provides community and health.
That’s s the  reason this sport is exploding

 The next time somebody makes fun of you, show them this article. If  you just read this and are ready to jump in, check with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program.

  Tracey Chester, M.S., M.A., is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional,  a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 93387) and  a Trauma-Informed Consultant and Founder and Clinical Director of San Diego Medical Pain and Trauma Institute. Tracey  is amongst a small professional community that studies the relationship between grief, trauma and chronic illness/pain. Her research primarily focuses on the treatment of trauma through state-of-art new modalities such as ecotherapy, surf therapy, ketamine-assisted-therapy and the effects of THC/CBD on symptoms of pain and emotional trauma. Tracey is also a certified Grief Counselor and a Certified surf Therapist. Tracey’s mission is personal, as she is a chronic pain patient and a survivor of Complex Developmental PTSD, and the lived experience has proved helpful when working with patients with chronic pain. 

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