Airguns as Therapy

[PasadenaMike]

I have an 8 year old son who’s autistic and things are not getting easier for sure but the one thing that keeps me sane at times when it’s really tough is my airgun hobby. I can always fall back on my love for air for some mental health help. I don’t drink or smoke but i love taking shots- shots out the window at my spinner targets I also log onto airgun forums and read and post things about Airguns which helps a lot. My wife probably knows I spend more than I should on this hobby but she knows it’s my only therapy. Thank you Airguns and the awesome folks on the forums. I don’t do social media just forums. I wish I had more time to shoot but honestly I’ll take what I can these days even if it’s 5 minutes. Oh our little puppy has helped too

 

[Spinach]

Personally I don't call it therapy, more of a meditation for me.
Good post and I'm fully with you and your thoughts.

 

[PasadenaMike]

Personally I don't call it therapy, more of a meditation for me.
Good post and I'm fully with you and your thoughts.

It’s some form of relaxation for everyone

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Even air gun shooting problems are more relaxing then most life's problems.

 

[pan60]

getting out shoot at a minimum gets our minds off all that worries us.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

I think my most stressing thing in air guns for me is when I proceed to checkout from add to cart.

 

[EdinGa]

They keep me sane for sure. My wife and I went out to dinner yesterday evening and got home after dark. As we were walking inside, I told her I hadn't had my trigger therapy for the day. She said, "can't you shoot at night?" I went inside, grabbed an airgun and a flashlight, and shot some spinners for a few minutes. Time to rig some lights for more after dark therapy.

 

[Danman]

Oh for sure you can shoot at night!!! last year....wait 2 years ago now ... I borrowed my brother's springer, sighted it in on the bench and did some pesting all after 9pm over a few weeks in autumn. I was working 'afternoon' shift for work 8am till 8pm for a few months straight and had some pest issues that I had to take care of. It was a bit more work but it worked well. Good post Mike and one of the reasons I bought my .177 TX200. Heavy, not really a hunter but oh so good for therapy (and gorgeous). Single shot, take my time, print some paper. I don't even take it past 30 yards, that's what my pcps are for.

 

[Dogowski]

They keep me sane for sure. My wife and I went out to dinner yesterday evening and got home after dark. As we were walking inside, I told her I hadn't had my trigger therapy for the day. She said, "can't you shoot at night?" I went inside, grabbed an airgun and a flashlight, and shot some spinners for a few minutes. Time to rig some lights for more after dark therapy.

I've got a clamp and green light I ordered from Amazon and I shoot after dark a lot in the evening weather permitting. It came with a replacement red led type bulb you can easily change but I like the green the best.

 

[EdinGa]

Sounds interesting. Got a link?

 

[Dogowski]

I have an 8 year old son who’s autistic and things are not getting easier for sure but the one thing that keeps me sane at times when it’s really tough is my airgun hobby. I can always fall back on my love for air for some mental health help. I don’t drink or smoke but i love taking shots- shots out the window at my spinner targets I also log onto airgun forums and read and post things about Airguns which helps a lot. My wife probably knows I spend more than I should on this hobby but she knows it’s my only therapy. Thank you Airguns and the awesome folks on the forums. I don’t do social media just forums. I wish I had more time to shoot but honestly I’ll take what I can these days even if it’s 5 minutes. Oh our little puppy has helped too

I also have an understanding wife and also have a small dog that's my best friend. I am home alone all day as I'm on disability from a back injury from work many years ago. Airgunning is a wonderful stress relief that can take your cares away even for a few minutes. God bless you Mike, you have your hands full.

 

[Luis Leon]

An understanding wife, special needs son, and a sweet pup… Hopefully your son, with your guidance, therapy, and patience can make progress? Five minutes to shoot, beats not shooting at all, during these winter months; five minutes outside shooting is all I can bear. I do go out for multiple, short sessions. Stay strong and take whatever mental health breaks you can. Keep those spinners, spinning…

 

[PasadenaMike]

An understanding wife, special needs son, and a sweet pup… Hopefully your son, with your guidance, therapy, and patience can make progress? Five minutes to shoot, beats not shooting at all, during these winter months; five minutes outside shooting is all I can bear. I do go out for multiple, short sessions. Stay strong and take whatever mental health breaks you can. Keep those spinners, spinning…

Appreciate it brother

 

[Franklink]

I agree 100%

My job is extremely high stress, requires absolute concentration and perfection for 10, 12, 14 hrs straight. Even the smallest mistake could kill someone.

Airguns are also my therapy. Even 10-15 minutes of shooting is enough to have all that stress melt away and get me right with the world again.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

My best therapy is, like so many of you, the peace and concentration I find in shooting targets and plinking out on out range. I've not been privileged to go shooting now since the week before Thanksgiving due to having my right knee replaced. I plan to be re-habed enough sometime in the next couple of weeks, so . . . targets and spinners beware. Mike: I have a 12 year old grandson who is on the autism spectrum as well. He is able to find true calm and concentration while shooting his Dragonfly out on the range. He is scary accurate slinging lead. I only wish that he could concentrate so well on his schoolwork. Keep loving our kids and they'll find success in their lives. Orv.

 

[Farmplinker2]

Being able to pa-ting spinners is the cheapest therapy available.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Being able to pa-ting spinners is the cheapest therapy available.

I like my steel to give me a nice carnival "arcade ding". Maybe from pa- ting up to pa- Ding.

 

[Farmplinker2]

I like my steel to give me a nice carnival "arcade ding". Maybe from pa- ting up to pa- Ding.

I use rimfire and centerfire handgun spinners mostly. So a bit different sound than the airgun only targets.

 

[A_Shomer]

Anytime spent with simple group therapy is far cheaper and better than serious Doctor Phil couch time.

“If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane.” ~Jimmy Buffett

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Had to do some therapy after the tornadocane here . Power out 2 days , yards a mess so looking over the cleanup I just said screw it a shot the stress off at 50y R9,cphp

Of course still had some push off , but it beat major yard work at the time.