Baseball - THE perfect antitode for stress

This was a favorite post from years ago and since tomorrow is opening day, I thought it was worth putting back in the lineup.

Don't feel bad if you are stressed - it's kinda normal. Nearly half of all U.S. adults say that stress has negatively affected their behavior. Still, I would bet you'd welcome an effective way to manage or lower it. I have something to pitch to you - watch or listen to a game of baseball.

Baseball, with its pace, length, and many life lessons, provides a welcome antidote to the daily grind.

You've heard many times that the only constant in life is change. Baseball, with its 162-game season puts more emphasis on the constant. With an average season lasting six months, you can find a game to watch almost every night. That nightly routine is like an old friend - there every night to bring you comfort and consistency.

I dare you to watch a baseball game and not get lured into the slow pace. The tempo of baseball, whether watching or listening, is methodical and deliberate. The movement of the game brings the heart rate down and soothe anyone's nerves.

You'll marvel at how much stillness there is between the action—getting the catcher's sign, the pitcher's wind up, a batter's routine, and the subtle build-up to each pitch from the announcer. A baseball game will either lull you into a peaceful trance or narrow your focus on each pitch blocking out any other mental chatter.

Tip: If you want to use the sounds of a baseball game to help you sleep, I recommend the podcast sleep baseball. It’s my go-to when I wake up in the middle of the night to put me back to sleep.

Baseball, like life, is unpredictable - a reminder to enjoy the journey. No two pitches, innings, or games are alike. That's the point - we don't need to know who wins. The joy of watching baseball is every pitch - a series of individual moments that do not need to rest on the outcome. You can't predict a winner just like you can't predict your future; you simply need to focus on the present and forget about what's ahead.

For those who say baseball is boring, I say that's the point. You can take the baseball game and distill it down to the simple interaction between pitches. Who cares what team you are rooting for each game. There's no need to get caught up in the wins and losses or unnecessary statistics, just focus on the simple battle between pitcher and hitter and find clarity, and feel centered and calm.

If you want stillness, just simply listen to the sounds of a baseball game. The announcers' soothing voice, the baseball's pop into the mitt, the bat's crack, and the fans' chatter in the stands. Baseball's myriad of calming noises throughout a game provides a near meditative trance for the average person. 

"Life is like a baseball game. When you think a fastball is coming, you gotta be ready to hit the curve" - Jaja Q

We all feel stress from time to time, but the game of baseball brings us a simple, peaceful nightly routine that can bring calm and focus, and reminds us that unpredictability is our friend. Step up to the plate and give it a try starting tomorrow.

Let me know if you like this post here. Much appreciated.

I’m one of the founders of Rotary Digital. I’m an entrepreneur and advertising veteran for 30+ years counting. I’m married with three beautiful kids and one day hope to make art full time and continue to eat at Whole Foods.