Does shooting help you de-stress?

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

I'm starting to find out that bullseye is a good stress reliever, but blamming away with heavy artillery does the opposite. Does anyone else have this experience?

Thanks,
- pdmoderator

 

[Capital Punishment]

Some things that lower my stress-

1. Eating.

2. Letting off a few rounds down range, although, i dont always have easy access to the range.

3. Singing. This is a big one.

4. Talking about it! This is probably the most effective one. Talk to someone that will listen-a good friend, your wife/girlfriend, whatever. Hey, the person might even give you some advice on your present situation.

Edit- Oops, i read wrong. I thought you said shouting .

 

[4v50 Gary]

A .38 or .357 revolver, plenty of ammo, couple of speedloaders and natural point shooting. Fun, relaxing and good destressing.

 

[Neal Bloom]

For me shooting helps relieve stress. Concentrating on accurately placing the bullets on the target puts me into a focused state of mind and I can drive the stressors out of my mind.

 

[Waitone]

Leme see here

--Intent focus on a distant object.

--Slow, measured breath control

--Intent concentration on small muscles

--Visualization of a desired outcome

--Repetition of a sequence of physical actions


All the characteristics of meditation. . . . .or pistol shooting or golf.

Pistol shooting is a marvelous way of clearing the mind.

 

[10-Ring]

Because shooting is such an individual sport & you have a major sense partially cut off, I am able to relieve stress when I go shooting.
Actually tho, I can relieve stress as long as the activity I'm doing is fun and I can forget the source of my stress.

 

[Redlg155]

Depends on your definition of "stress reliever". If it means bringing you to a more relaxed, focused mental state then yes, bullseye shooting can help.

But for a real "Stress Reliever" I like nothing better than going to the range and shooting at different targets. Then shoot several mags out of my autos to wreak some havoc on the countryside. After a coke and a smile...I'm good to go.

One is releasing tension through mind control. The other releasing tension through physical release.

I'm from the heavy artillery school of thought!

Good SHooting
RED

 

[10-Ring]

Because shooting is such an individual sport & you have a major sense partially cut off, I am able to relieve stress when I go shooting.
Actually tho, I can relieve stress as long as the activity I'm doing is fun and I can forget the source of my stress.

 

[squire]

without a doubt

 

[shu]

I had given up chewing (tobacco) several times. A hard habit to kick. Unless you bite off more than you can chew, there is no need to spit. (I used to fly with an oxygen mask on and a chaw in the cheek.) A far more sociable habit than smoking, and a strong nicotine hit. I had likewise given up drinking several times.

About three years ago I was starting to get into shooting and had the hots to get a glock 31, something I could no way justify. The concentration of target shooting at an outdoor range I found to be an excellent diversion, good relaxation; a mini-vacation.

I made a bargain with myself to get the Glock, but no more alcohol or tobacco. From time to time I add another firearm to the collection, or something for the reloading bench. If I find myself getting stressed out about something, or thinking of a scotch-on-rocks, I begin to plan what to work on the next trip to the range, or what new load to work on.

 

[m.i.sanders]

Yep. Bullseye, and benchrest are relaxing, but I find clays to the trick better.

 

[happy old sailor]

absolutely.

in my mind there is me, the gun, and the target. the rest of the world goes away. when thus achieved, it is a good shot.

rudiments of shooting are very simple. grip, stance, sights, target, and trigger control. the rest is in the mind. when shooting, there is no room for stress in there. so for a little while, i am free.

 

[m.i.sanders]

Yep. Bullseye, and benchrest are relaxing, but I find clays do the trick better.

 

[m.i.sanders]

Yep. Bullseye, and benchrest are relaxing, but I find clays do the trick better.

 

[m.i.sanders]

Yep. Bullseye, and benchrest are relaxing, but I find clays do the trick better.

 

[Dan Morris]

The concentration required in any type of shooting totally lets me forget problems! Been using it for therapy for years!
Dan

 

[rick458]

I liked going to PSC and going to one of the rear fully bermed ranges with some ipsc targets I would do fine sight trigger work but towards the end I would just hammer the target with full mags at full speed that is a stress reliever (I would always close with more trigger sight control work)

 

[Rebeldon]

Shooting helps me relieve stress, unless I'm having problems with my gun. Then the stress gets worse.

 

[PATH]

Shooting is great stress reliever!

 

[larryw]

I often go to the range with the primary purpose of blowing off steam. Being able to focus on nothing but breath, sight alignment, squeeze is a great stress release.

 

[blades67]

Shooting is one of the ways I decompress. When I can't get to the range I just get one of my guns out and clean it. Not as good, but better than going to work.

 

[blades67]

Double tap.

 

[enfwago]

It helps me relieve my stress. Until I run out of ammo.

 

[blades67]

When I run out of ammo I just go home and make more.

 

[GoldenLoki]

Yes.

The larger the caliber, the more stress that is relieved.

Reactive targets add even more stress relief... melons, eggs, old TV's etc.

GL