Somedays you may lack motivation to go to sports practice or the gym. Oftentimes, people exercise with the mindset of improving their physical health or their figure, but you may not know that exercising can also greatly improve your mental health.
One type of exercise has shown to improve people’s mental health greatly: playing a team sport. Studies have shown that if one exercises alone, the benefits to their mental health are not as great as people who work out together. It is most likely that you will get the same results physically regardless of working out with a group or alone. However, why would you not want both? Improvement in both physical and mental health just takes one easy step, and that is sharing that time with someone else. Team sports or workout groups often exercise together for the pure enjoyment of being around each other. One may look forward to going to their sports practice just to spend time with their fellow teammates. In a team sport, all of the players are committed to the game for one common goal: to win. Though, winning or losing doesn’t matter. The fact that a group of people came together for one common goal can make oneself happy regardless of the turnout. An individual who works out alone has been shown to be more likely to be depressed and anxious. It is a fact that humans enjoy being around one another, and this is perfect evidence of that, regardless if you are a “people person” or not.
Team sports also teach one skills to navigate life. Playing a team sport forces you to respect your teammates and coaches. It gives one the responsibility of showing up even when they don’t want to. For example, if you never had to show up to sports practice every Wednesday, how would you learn the importance of always showing up to your morning meetings? Teammates count on each other, and playing an individual sport gives one the flexibility to skip their practice, because no one is counting on them. Team sports force one to stay committed. Sports teach you how to accept a loss, whether that be in a small scrimmage, or in the championship game. Without learning and knowing what defeat feels like, one may be hit with a shock when something more devastating than losing a basketball game crosses their path. When defeat or sadness does come into one’s life, one needs to learn how to deal with that. Sports can help you learn how to manage your breathing and emotions. Before a free shot, one takes a moment to take a deep breath, and calm oneself. When you get a bruise on the court or field, you may have to deal with the pain, and contain your emotions until it is your turn to come off. This improves one’s mental toughness, and prepares one for any curveball that may come their way. Sports, especially team sports, are a valuable way to spend one’s time, as it improves one’s physical and mental health, while also teaching one important life skills.
How? One may ask…how? Well, it is scientifically proven that when one exercises, endorphins are released from the brain. Through the release of endorphins, stress and pain are lifted off of one’s shoulders. Even if you only have time for a short workout, the relief of this pain and stress stays with you for hours after their workout. Sports help you in so many ways as studies have shown that exercising can: help preserve the memory, reduce the risk of dementia, strengthen cognitive function, reduce stress, improve mood, help fight addiction, and improve depression. These are just a few of the benefits on one’s mental health, thanks to exercise.
Works Cited
Saybrook University. “The Mental Health Benefits of Playing Sports.” Saybrook University, 11 Apr. 2024, www.saybrook.edu/unbound/mental-health-benefits-playing-sports/.
Seabury. “Exercise and Cognitive Function.” Seabury, seaburylife.org/exercise-and-cognitive-function/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4umZzLS6igMVMFFBAh051SlyEAAYASAAEgLBTfD_BwE.
WebMD Editorial Contributors. “Benefits of Sports for Mental Health.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/mental-health/benefits-of-sports-for-mental-health. Accessed 26 Feb. 2024.
By Elizabeth Barrette ‘29, Contributing Writer
29ebarrette@montroseschool.org