Moving your body and bonding with your crew – sounds great, right? But then add in pressure to perform and exhaustion, and it can become a damaging mix. So is rowing good for your mental health?
The answer, like it so often is, is that it depends.
The desire to make the first boat is the goal of most rowers. But it is easy to lose focus on the whole picture, resulting in putting yourself under too much pressure and overtraining to the point where the love of the sport ebbs away.
Add the stress of studying or work and many rowers are starting to suffer. For those feeling the pressure, it is time to talk to your coach, seek a smarter way to train/study, and reduce the stress.
The key is to row because it makes you feel good.
Of course, there can be huge benefits to the sport. During periods of high stress, being outside can help to de-clutter the mind and organise thoughts. The feel of the movement of the boat through the water, the noise of the boat running, taking time to look at the wildlife, getting into the rhythm of the rowing stroke, and the endorphin release are all massively beneficial. They help to stop the brain from ‘spinning its wheels’, leaving the mind ready to return to the daily routine.
Get into the boat and think about each stroke, taking the time to appreciate the fresh air.
For those that excelled at school or club level, they arrive at university and are now vying for a place in a top boat with older more experienced athletes. At the same time, they are trying to navigate new surroundings, do their own domestics, get up early to fit in water training sessions, and socialise with new friends. It is not surprising that some successful juniors call it a day on their rowing careers when they arrive at university. For those that persevere with the sport at university, it can offer a great way to settle into a new routine and make a wider group of friends.
It all comes down to each individual finding the right balance for them.
When starting work in an unfamiliar area, it is easy to quickly feel very lonely. Joining the local rowing club is a means to making friends and integrating into the local community. Training is not as frequent and crews can be irregular. Most members have a study/work/family balance to juggle so crews do vary. The upside is you get to meet more people.
The secret is to take time to focus on your needs and work out the best balance to get you through times of high stress.
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