10 Benefits of Playing Sport
Taking part in sport can help us feel fitter, healthier and more mentally sound. Sport can also be fun, especially when played as part of a team or with family and friends.
Sport can also develop great leaders and be an opportunity for individuals to shine. If you're considering signing yourself or a family member up for sport, then it's worth keeping in mind the many benefits listed below:
1. Improved Sleep
Studies suggest that exercise and sport trigger chemicals in the brain to make you feel happier and relaxed. You double your benefits by participating in an outdoor sport as fresh air is also proven to support a good night's rest.
2. A Strong Heart
Your heart is a muscle that needs frequent exercise to keep it fit and healthy. Your heart will improve in performance when it's regularly challenged with exercise. Strong hearts improve overall health.
Sport brings together people from all sorts of walks of life. Engaging in sport allows us to make new connections with people from different backgrounds, communities, religions and beliefs. Never hurts to diversify your social circle, and engaging in sports allows you to get that ball rolling! No pun intended.
4. Improved Lung Function
Regular sport causes more oxygen to be drawn into the body with carbon monoxide and waste gases expelled. This increases lung capacity, which improves your overall lung function and efficiency.
5. Increased Confidence
By training frequently and working towards seasonal goals, you can build your confidence and abilities. Small, incremental achievements throughout the year can build personal confidence over time, giving you the ability to take on new projects and assignments at work with your new-found confidence.
6. Reduce Stress
When you are physically active your mind gets to unplug from the daily stresses of life. Physical exercise is proven to reduce the stress hormones in your body and stimulates the release of endorphins.
7. Improve Mental Health
Regular participation in sport is also proven to promote good mental health. Being active improves our mood, reduces anxiety and combats negative emotion.
8. Sport Builds Leaders
Every sports team needs leaders to show the way and help develop new or younger teammates.
9. Develop Stronger Relationships
Sport enables you to build better relationships with people you may be aware of, but not know personally. Sport with colleagues is a great opportunity to build better relationships and networks that may help you in your job.
Children who play sports develop stronger bones and muscles leading to a smaller chance of physical injury. A study done in New Zealand suggests that physical exercise before the onset of puberty helps children reach peak bone mass, enabling children to become stronger.