7 Amazing Benefits of Sports
Sports have many benefits to the body and mind. They help you stay fit, active, and healthy, and keep your heart pumping and blood flowing in the right direction. They can also be fun, something that’s always important when you’re setting aside time to exercise regularly. If you’re just getting started with sports or want to get back into it, here are seven amazing benefits of sports to motivate you to do so.
1. Exercise raises your mood
You’ve probably heard it time and again, but exercise is just as important for your mental health as it is for your physical. Not only does working out help fight depression and anxiety, but it also protects against developing them in the first place. Plus, when you work out you release endorphins that make you feel good; exercise has even been shown to relieve symptoms of mild depression. Plus, people who exercise regularly have higher levels of dopamine—the neurotransmitter that’s responsible for regulating mood—in their brains than those who don’t work out regularly. Exercise raises your mood! It also boosts your memory! In a study published in Behavioral Neuroscience , animals that exercised were better at recalling how to navigate through a maze than those who didn’t.
2. Playing with kids and pets is fun
We all want to be young at heart, but sometimes it’s hard to squeeze in a game of tag or catch with our kids and pets. Luckily, adults can keep their minds sharp by playing active games, too. Adult sports leagues are a great way to spend time with friends and family while staying physically fit. And there are even exercise programs designed specifically for retirees who want to remain active as they age.
3. Improves Heart Health
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, sports can improve your heart health in amazing ways. In fact, a recent study found that there was a 23 percent reduction in death risk among people who exercised regularly. The reason? Improved blood flow and heart function. If you want to live longer and happier, get out there and play!
4. Reduces Stress
The health benefits of sports have been well documented. Some may wonder, Why do I need sports when I can simply take a walk or find other ways to reduce stress? Many people turn to yoga and meditation. However, it’s important to be physically active as well because it puts less stress on your body while helping you relax. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that those who exercised had reduced levels of stress-related hormones (like cortisol). Over time, these hormonal changes are enough to significantly reduce your risk for stress-related disorders like depression and anxiety.[1]
5. Makes You Smarter
Another benefit of sports is it makes you smarter! Studies show that children who are involved in sports are better at reading comprehension and can do basic math better than those who aren’t involved in athletics. Whether your child is enrolled in a sport, or simply plays for fun, he will get smarter as a result. A 2012 study from Queen’s University Belfast found that children on teams were able to improve their maths skills after just one session with mental math exercises. There’s also evidence that kids who play team sports are more likely to graduate high school and less likely to drop out – which can contribute to making them smarter as well!
6. Physical activity reduces risk of death from all causes
Research has shown that there is a clear link between physical activity and a lower risk of death from all causes. People who regularly engage in physical activity are 50 percent less likely to die prematurely than people who aren’t physically active. High levels of fitness can also help protect against chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The benefit doesn’t just go to elite athletes—anyone can get these amazing benefits. Even regular walking significantly reduces your risk for many illnesses. Additionally, people who participate in sports (such as swimming or tennis) have better cognitive skills as they age compared to those who don’t exercise at all. That’s because being active increases oxygen flow to brain cells and enhances connectivity within brain networks; both help ward off conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
7. It’s good for you!
Playing sports can make you look better, feel better and live longer. You’ll have more energy and be able to focus better. It improves your hand-eye coordination and ability to think on your feet (literally). With an increase in self-confidence, you may even sleep better at night! While these are just a few benefits of sports, it’s clear that staying active is good for you. All it takes is a little effort—and maybe a good pair of running shoes!
8. Benefits of sports for students
Running is one of the most popular sports for students, since it’s an excellent cardiovascular workout that can improve your health. Running is particularly good for people with high blood pressure, since it lowers blood pressure in both healthy and hypertensive individuals. Since running improves blood flow to your heart and brain, it can help you concentrate better on schoolwork—which may come in handy when taking finals! Sports also increase our self-esteem and confidence, which make us more outgoing in social situations.
9. Benefits of sports in child development
There are many benefits sports provide in child development:
1. Provides Character Development & Life Skills Sports can teach children how to develop their character and display discipline, teamwork, respect, and courage. Not only will these attributes benefit them on and off the court, they also help children learn how to work hard when times get tough.
2. Incorporates a Healthy Lifestyle into a Child’s Development In general kids who play sports become more physically active which means they’re less likely to be overweight or obese than their non-athletic peers. This translates into healthier habits later in life with regards to diet and exercise because kids learn what it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle from an early age.
Conclusion
Sports can be a fun way to stay in shape, but many people still question whether sports are beneficial for health. Not only does regular exercise reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, it also helps you sleep better, improve your sex life and give you more energy. So what are you waiting for? Throw on some athletic gear, lace up your shoes and hit that running trail! The positive benefits of sports will follow.
