It is common knowledge that playing sports has a ton of physical benefits, but many don’t know the plethora of mental benefits team sports have. Here are a few of the best, and the reasons why you should join a sports team right now.
Moderate Stress
Firstly, whether you are sliding on your rugby boots for a game or picking up your hockey stick for practice, being part of a team is a great way to lower and moderate stress. This is for one simple reason: you need to focus on the game at hand, and not on your stress.
Sport temporarily distracts you and prevents you from overthinking and becoming overwhelmed. When combined with the good chemicals your brain releases, you feel better and improve your mood.
Stress is Spread Out
In the context of being part of a team, your stress gets spread out because there are several things you need to pay attention to and be aware of. This means your stress is spread out, and again, is lowered over time.
Improved Mood
As mentioned earlier, playing sports and physical activity as a whole releases good chemicals in your brain, which can improve your mood. When you combine this with the fun of the game and having a good time with your teammates, your mood is boosted drastically. Additionally, it should be noted that you can experience these same benefits simply by working out and exercising regularly.
Relieves Feelings of Isolation
One major cause of a lowered mood and depression is the feeling of isolation. This is a problem that many people experience, but they can’t put their finger on why. Therefore, it is a problem that, oftentimes, isn’t dealt with properly.
However, being part of a team and having friends to hang out and chat with on a regular basis can eliminate that feeling. Add in spending time with them away from your sport, such as for dinner or nights out, and you won’t experience that isolated feeling again.
You are Heard & Understood
One issue that can hamper mental health and happiness is the feeling of not being heard and understood. Whether at school, home, or in the workplace, not feeling understood can drastically diminish one’s feelings of calm and happiness.
However, in a team sport, communication is essential, as without communication, no one would know what they should and shouldn’t be doing. Therefore, being heard and understood is part of the activity, which can help those who feel like their voice or opinions aren’t important enough to be listened to.
Confidence in Failure
One interesting dynamic of team sports that you don’t often get with individual sports is the feeling of confidence and success, even in the face of failure. For instance, if you play soccer and score three goals, you will gain a massive confidence boost even if your team loses 4-3.
While this won’t be a feeling everyone experiences, it is important to note that individual success isn’t diminished simply due to not getting an overall victory. Additionally, in team sports, 99% of the time it is not an individual’s fault that you lose; therefore, there is no place for blame. Something that can often not be said about individual sports.
Inclusivity
Another aspect that can boost someone’s mental health is the feeling of inclusivity. No matter what makes someone different, feeling part of a team instantly improves their mental health and boosts their mood and confidence.
In this day and age, there is no need to sit on the sidelines because of a disability, whether it be mentally or physically, as there are teams for everyone, across almost every sport.
Better Sleep
Never underestimate the power of getting good sleep every night. Many studies have shown that a night of good sleep can improve your mood, focus, stress levels, and general happiness.
This benefit doesn’t only apply to team sports. Physical activity has been shown to put the body in a better state for sleeping simply because it burns off excess energy. When combined with lower stress levels, getting a good night’s rest becomes something you don’t even have to try to do; it just happens.
Promotes Healthier Habits
Sports as a whole are also a great way to build and maintain healthier habits. For instance, if you play a sport that requires a lot of running, smoking is only going to hinder you. If you need to be stronger, then you are going to join a gym, work out more, and eat a healthier diet.
While these things aren’t guaranteed, they are almost an essential aspect of being part of a team. Additionally, if you don’t want to be a weak link, you almost have to take these steps and adopt healthier habits.
Team sports have many mental health benefits that can change almost anyone’s life. Whether you join your school team, a club, or simply play casually, you will experience a few of these amazing benefits in no time.
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