It’s National Play Catch Week. It’s a week to get outside with a ball and a companion to enjoy yourself.
You don’t have to have an arm that would get you drafted into the NFL or MLB. Going out with a friend, spouse or grandchild to throw a ball around aids your health.
David Ogden, a researcher at the Univ. of Nebraska, wrote, “We are looking at a generation who didn’t play catch with their dads.” He was writing about the steep decline in youth baseball, but it’s true overall. We’re not getting our young people out to play.
Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, said, “The prevalence of stress-related diseases, interpersonal violence, addictions and other health and well-being problems can be linked, like a deficiency disease, to the prolonged deprivation of play.” He added that “Depression and anxiety can be caused by ‘play deficit,’ in adults as much as in children. Just as sleep deprivation leads to ill health, so play deficiency can lead to mental illness.”
Dr. Sarah Averill wrote about the social benefits of playing catch as an exercise. “Unlike yoga or solitary mindfulness, a friendly game of toss involves eye contact and cooperation, powerful ingredients for connection.” She pointed out how good it is for multiple aspects of health, writing, “A simple game of catch packs a real punch for wellness. It refreshes the mind, lowers heart rate, improves mood, and, best of all, reminds us that play is not a luxury but a basic human need. And, best of all, it’s fun.”
Remember, playing catch isn’t about being good at athletics. If you are throwing back and forth with an adult, a touch of athleticism can make things smoother, but it won’t necessarily improve your outing. Not being great at catch can actually improve the afternoon if you are playing with a child. It takes any pressure off that they might be feeling to perform well and allows catch to be a silly, fun activity rather than a sporting event that matters.
Being present in the life of a child or a loved one is good for your health and theirs. Playing catch is a great way to get out into the fresh air and connect with someone you care about. You can have a nice conversation while playing and getting a good stretch in. So, this week, make a plan to play catch. And, if possible, plan for it to be a recurring activity!
