In today’s modern world, it’s more important than ever to hit stop on the clock and find healthy ways to step away from the screen to manage stress and improve our mental wellbeing. While there are gyms and meditation retreats popping up in every side street and city alike, there’s a new and exciting alternative option which is also gaining popularity worldwide: axe throwing.
Haxed Axe Throwing in Northamptonshire is a great place to experience the thrill of axe throwing through sessions for individuals, families, groups and private events. Axe throwing is more than just a fun activity; it can also have a surprising number of benefits for your mental health too. Let’s take a peek at why…
De-Stress And Improve Your Mental Wellbeing With Axe Throwing
Whether you’ve had a hard day at the office, burned the dinner last night whilst multi-tasking, have an inbound visit with the in-laws or are still festering over this mornings rush hour road rage, you can instantly, and triumphantly let it all go in the cages…
- Physical Activity: Axe throwing is a great way to get some exercise and release endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters. The act of throwing an axe requires coordination, strength, and focus, giving you a full-body workout that can leave you feeling energised and invigorated.
- Stress Relief: There’s something incredibly satisfying about letting go of a axe and watching it bury itself into the wooden target. It’s a great way to release pent-up frustration and tension, leaving you feeling calmer and more relaxed.
- Focus and Concentration: Axe throwing requires focus and concentration in order to hit your target. This can be a great way to train your mind to stay present and avoid dwelling on negative thoughts. I love the sense of achievement that I get from hitting the targets, let alone when I achieve maximum score!
- Confidence Booster: Sticking the axe in the bullseye for the first time is an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Axe throwing can help you to build confidence in your abilities and improve your self-esteem. You’re more likely to feel inspired to try other new hobbies and activities when you’ve had such a feel-good experience throwing.
- Social Connection: Axe throwing is a great activity to do with friends, family, or even co-workers. It’s a fun and social way to bond with others and create lasting memories in the safety of the alley.
As a family, we had the most fantastic afternoon tearing up the scoreboards with tournaments, speed challenges and achieving personal bests. Over the years we’ve tried a few different axe throwing venues, particularly in the winter when outdoor activities are more limited, and have come to realise that different venues provide such a different experience.
Much like when we were at school, having a great teacher -or axe throwing instructor- and the right equipment -quality axes and supple wood- can make the very same experience feel completely different. We found Haxed to be amazing for those of us who are less skilled, as the axes easily bit into the wood rather than bouncing straight out; sometimes wood can be very unforgiving and discouraging if you miss several shots in a row. But remember, don’t take it personally as it could be down to a new board that needs breaking in or an axe that needs sharpening. Thankfully, both of these were on point at Haxed!
The cheerful instructors took time, and delight, in assisting each of us with our throws, tweaking our hand position, stance, distance from the starting line and strength put into the throw to ensure that we could all hit the target and hone our aim to achieve a bulleye, if not the kill shot – the small blue marks at the top of the board worth the most points!
It was so inspiring to see our techniques improve, to hear cheers of hitting the bullseye, enjoy the rush of time trials and laugh and squeal our way through a traditional round of 21 followed by “around the world”. And what a workout it was for the children who fell fast asleep on the drive home.
As a mother, I always wonder how best to encourage my teens to try something new, build self-esteem and recognise that anything in life is possible and achievable so long as you’re prepared to put in the time and effort. Axe throwing is certainly a catalyst for self-belief and enthusiasm; the adrenaline from the action and sense of achievement is incredibly motivating, and it warmed my heart to see them earn a place on the leader board.
If you’re looking for a new and exciting way to improve your mental health, have fun as a family or enjoy time with friends then axe throwing is definitely worth a shot. It’s a safe and fun activity that can help you to reduce stress, improve your focus, and boost your confidence. You may even become an instant master!
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