For a fun little pastime, ping pong has it all. Satisfying noise when bat meets ball, bounces that zip across the table and quickfire rounds; which always prove as enjoyable in a fiercely competitive atmosphere as they do in a laid back rally.
However you play the game of ping pong, one thing you might not have known is that the game has been named as one of the great de-stressing activities. Psychologists have recommended the hobby to all after multiple academic studies found physical and mental benefits to the game.
With this information in Mind, ping pong stalwarts Bounce have entered the chat. For World Mental Health Day on October 10, they’re inviting anyone to come down to their Old Street site to enjoy some free ping oong.
World Mental Health Day is a chance to reflect on the struggles many go through and think about things that can be done to help people in their journey. While ping pong isn’t likely to be a complete solution by itself for most, it can provide a way of getting out and having the kind of fun that clears the mind and de-stress. Bounce is encouraging people to try out the benefits, however big or small, on the mind and come down for a free game!
Fancy hearing about the science behind it? Of course you do. Dr Simon Moore is a Chartered Psychologist and CEO of behavioural strategy agency, Innovation Bubble. Speaking on the studies of ping pong, he said:
“Ping pong not only offers proven health benefits such as moderate cardiac workout, calorie burning and muscle/joint mobilisation but as a sport it also offers positive psychological outcomes. It is an inclusive sport, not defined by gender or age, and by being accessible to a broad range of demographics it enhances social connections and interactions.
“This offers psychological uplifts against isolation, depression as well as encouraging interactions with a wide variety of people (which feeds our deep-seated needs for social connectivity and exploration). Ping pong has been shown to be great for improving and maintaining cognitive function in relation to such things as hand-eye coordination, reaction times and problem solving.”
To take advantage of this great offer from Bounce, head down to their Old Street site from 4:30pm on October 10 and utter the code PING PONG MIND STRONG to secure your free games.
Find Bounce Old Street at 241 Old Street, EC1V 9EY and Bounce Farringdon at 121 Holborn, EC1N 2TD. View Bounce’s website here.