How does playing a sport improve quality of life?
There has been overwhelming evidence that physical exercise has its benefits on health. But do we know it can do much more that? Especially playing a Sport can improve the overall quality of life.
Every kind of sports has its own health benefits. Having to maintain fitness with time, family and work pressure is getting more and more difficult. An easy and quick solution would be to inculcate games in your everyday lifestyle and rejuvenate yourself all throughout the day.
As we know our country is not known to be a sporting nation. Our recreation methods are limited to strolls, drives, shopping, movies, friendly gatherings etc. Sports is not seen as a part of our life and if it is, it is only for competitive or professional purpose.
However there has been a major shift in the paradigm in the last couple of years where everyone has started focusing on health and fitness in a major way. There has been a boom in the fitness industry over the last few years.
But does just exercising mechanically improve the quality of life? Physical activity definitely has its benefits but picking up a sport and playing a sport, part from the physical benefits boosts the mental health and also helps improve life skills in a big way.
Being a sports lover since childhood and cricket (a team sport) being my sport of choice (though now I work with Olympic Sports), I have been able to reap the benefits of having played it. I would just like to highlight a few Physical and mental benefits of playing a sport
Physical Benefits
- Weight management
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Reduced blood pressure
- Improved muscular strength and endurance
- Control cholesterol
- Improved Bone Health
- Improved Immunity
Mental Benefits
- Improved Concentration
- Improved sleep
- Reduce stress and depression
Life skills
- Improved self esteem
- Learning discipline
- Improved Time management skills
- Developing leadership quality
- Understanding Team work
- Dealing with tough life situations
- Perseverance is more important than winning or losing
- Goal setting
Pick up any sport you enjoy! Every sport gives you something to learn. You will reap mental and physical benefits if you play safe and smart. Sports improve in overall Personality development of an individual which reflects in every walk of their lives.
Happy Playing!!