The Positive Relationship between Sports and Mental Health
People engage in sports for various reasons; some want to socialize, while others want to build their physical well-being. These are good reasons to pick up your favorite sport, but there might be an extra benefit you might need to be aware of. Sports boost your mental health as well.
Sports and Mental Health
The physical exertion and mental workout might sound like a lousy sale for most people, but sometimes that is what your body needs to pick up your mood. Some of the psychological benefits are included below.
The Positive Side of Engaging in Sports
More Flex, Less Stress
According to some studies, a decent workout when engaging in sports usually releases endorphins, hormones responsible for relieving pain and stress. After a 20-30 minute session, your adrenaline, cortisol, and stress hormones should have dropped, leading to a calm state.
Long-Term Psychological Benefits
After running a study on 9,688 children with terrible childhood experiences, researchers discovered that the kids who participated in sports grew up in better shape than those that didn't. Need we say more?
Better Moods with Better Plays
The thrill of winning a tough match is godly to which very few experiences can compare. In other cases, it's not even about winning; the joy of participation makes everything fall into place. Concentrating on a single task is a breath of fresh air that our minds crave now and then.
Team Sports are Good For Your Psyche
There's a deeper layer to all this, as team sports are the cream of the crop. Engaging in a team sport gives you a sense of belonging, and that usually boosts your mental health by reducing your anxiety and chances of depression. On the other hand, team sports focus on the fun more than the competitive aspect allowing for some breathing room.
Helps with Depressive Moods
Some studies recently revealed that exercise is an excellent way to fight depression and many mental downers. That's not even the best part; continued participation reduces the chances of a relapse. Speaking of relapse, let's move on to the next.
Addiction Is a Thing of the Past
Addiction is a difficult battle, and that's where sports come in—most people struggling with this end up losing the fight or relapsing thanks to not having an outlet. Sports and exercise provide the perfect balance to deal with this problem. Moreover, a Korean study found that students in sports are less likely to use drugs later in life.
Managing the System Well
For anyone battling a major mental disorder, sports might be the best avenue to channel frustration and balance things out. In addition, engaging in sports has shown that many people in this category tend to respond better to treatment and have a reduction in symptoms.
The Other Side of The Fence
Unfortunately, nothing is ever clear-cut, and everything has some negative aspects. Sports are no different, so it is essential to be vigilant not to fall into the trap. Here are some effects you should watch out for.
It Can Cause Stress and Depression
Thanks to the work and competitive nature of sports, frustration can build up, especially when wins come far in between. This is why many pro-athletes struggle with their mental fortitude. On the other hand, getting injured sometimes means the end of someone's career, further causing stress. If not checked, things might spiral out of control leading to long-term problems.
Some Sports Might Lead to Eating Disorders
Most sports require athletes to maintain a specific figure and weight class to compete. This has led to increased cases of eating disorders in these competitions, prompting a study that found that more pros had eating disorders than the general population.
Conclusion
Okay, we are not trying to scare you. The bottom line is there are two sides to every coin, and we hope to show you the bigger picture. Nevertheless, the benefits outweigh the risks, so don't fear picking up that baseball bat or golf club to engage in your favorite sport. It's time for your daily endorphin pickup. You never know; some physical taxation is what your body needs after a long day.