Can Jumping on A Trampoline Improve Your Mental Health?

Bouncing on a trampoline might seem like child’s play, but its benefits extend far beyond just fun and games. In recent years, more people have turned to trampoline jumping—not just for physical fitness, but also as a supplemental boost to their mental health. Jumping on a trampoline is unlike other forms of exercise. Instead of burning muscles and shortness of breath, those jumping on a trampoline can expect high-flying tricks and thrilling jumps.

However, you might be wondering, can this type of activity really help reduce stress and improve your mental health? After all, jumping on a trampoline is something that even a child can do, surely improving your mental health is more complex. Below we’ll explore the science, benefits, and real-life experiences that suggest trampolining might just be the lift your mind needs.

Benefits of Exercise on Mental Health

One of the best ways to strengthen and maintain mental health is through regular exercise. Exercise should be considered a way to improve your physical health as well as your mental health. Think about it this way, your body and your mind are connected to one another. Something that affects one of them will also affect the other. In order to ensure that you have the best mental health possible, you need to engage in physical exercise often.

Exercise is a powerful tool for improving mental health, thanks to its ability to positively impact the brain and body in multiple ways. Regular physical exercise has been shown to release hormones like endorphins into your body. These hormones provide the feelings of enjoyment and pleasure that you feel when you do something you enjoy. They have also been shown to be linked to positive mental health benefits like; helping to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and combat depression. 

Studies have been done to attempt to link exercise to improvements in one's mental health. One study done by researchers at UCLA found that on average, one could expect to have 4 poor mental health days per month. However, for those who exercised, they saw a 40 percent reduction in the number of their monthly mental health days. The amount of exercise needed to see these benefits was also not high, around 45 minutes, 3 days of the week. This study is one of many to link regular exercise to improvements in one's mental health.

Exercise also has a secondary effect on your mental health. Regular exercise can boost your self-image, provide a sense of accomplishment, and improve your sleep quality. While jumping on a trampoline might seem simple, by doing a task that mixes physical actions and mental focus you can separate yourself from your day to day life even if it is just for a moment. When all of these things are considered jumping on a trampoline should be considered to have a positive impact on your mental health.

Practical Uses of Trampolines and Mental Health

While it might seem like something silly, there is a good chance that by taking the time to jump on the trampoline, you are also making small improvements to your mental health. But is there any practical use for jumping on a trampoline?

Some treatment centers in the United Kingdom for example have been using trampolines to supplement their treatment options. Known as rebound therapy, the treatment is designed to help treat those struggling with a variety of mental health issues. 

One of these treatment locations, St Andrew’s Healthcare, has plans to extend this type of therapy to everyone undergoing occupational health treatments. One of the therapists working for St Andrew’s described the treatment this way. “If you're going through a hard time or struggling emotionally, getting on the trampoline can help. Sometimes, you need to break the mood you're in, and this is a great way to do that while interacting with others."

Reception to the use of trampolines has been overwhelmingly positive. When surveyed, 95 percent of participants said they noticed an improvement in their moods after each session, and over 60 percent reported improvements to their overall fitness and strength. 

Will the Use of a Trampoline Improve Mental Health?

In the end, will the use of a trampoline improve your mental health? There seems to be strong evidence that jumping on a trampoline will have a positive effect on your mental health. From the benefits of exercise to the use of trampolines in professional medical treatments, jumping on a trampoline is not only a fun pastime. It will also improve your mental health. So go out today and get jumping.