Did you know that physical exercise is not only good for the body, but has benefits for the mind and spirit, and has an impact on school success as well? With this in mind, we need to encourage participation in team sports and other regular physical activity.
Yes, playing sports takes up a lot of time and energy, and you may think that this would be a distraction from important schoolwork, but participation in sports has a profound impact on school success. Sports requires memorization, repetition, determination, goal-setting, and learning, all skillsets that are directly relevant to schoolwork and learning. Thus, many athletes do better academically.
Participating in team sports enhances problem-solving skills and the benefits of teamwork. Effective communication within the group is needed to work together, to develop a plan, and to see that plan out in order to reach for success.
Organized, well-structured sports programs help to teach accountability, dedication, leadership, and commitment to the group.
There are many mental health benefits as well.
Participating in team sports helps to reduce pressure and stress, and is a great way to build up a supportive social network of friends and peers. It can also provide an important boost to self-esteem as goals are achieved and self-confidence builds. Additionally, when working as a team, there is the benefit of focusing on the success of the team rather than the success of a single player, allowing for broader opportunity for achievement.
Physical activity can boost your mood by stimulating neurotransmitters in the brain, releasing endorphins that make you feel happier and more relaxed.
Participating in a team sport also allows for the opportunity to unwind and forget the stresses of the day when you hang out with friends. Depression and anxiety also decreases as your mind is occupied with the activity of the moment, you are physically engaged, and there is a reduction of stress hormones being released in the body.
Concentration and focus improve, as thinking, analyzing, and judgement skills are put into play, sometimes very quickly, keeping the brain alert.
Then of course there are the physical benefits.
Participating in sports can help to maintain a good weight, encourages healthful decision-making (such as not smoking), and even can lower the chances of developing health issues later in life.
Physical activity is important in the healthy growth of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, improves coordination and balance, and has cardiovascular benefits too. It also gives you the opportunity and ability to physically relax, thus avoiding complications of chronic muscular tension such as headaches and back aches.
Participating in sports improves sleep. The physical activity tires you out so your body needs to rest and recover from the exertion. In addition, getting better sleep helps to ensure that you’ll greet the next day well rested, with more energy, feeling better, and in a much better mood.
The take-away is: participating in sports does indeed positively impact the mind and the body, and can have roll-over benefits in school as well.
