The Positive Relationship between Sports and Mental Health

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

1. More Flex, Less Stress

According to some studies, a decent workout when engaging in sports usually leads to the release of endorphins, hormones responsible for relieving pain and stress. After a 20-30 minute session, your levels of adrenaline, cortisol, and stress hormones should have dropped, leading to a state of calm.

2. Long-Term Psychological Benefits

After running a study on 9688 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?

3. Better Moods With Better Plays

The thrill of winning a tough match is something godly that very few experiences can compare to. In other cases, it's not even about winning; the joy of participation makes everything fall into place. Concentrating on a single task mindlessly is a breath of fresh air that our minds crave now and then.

4. 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.

5. Fighting Depression in Style

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.

6. 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 out that students in sports barely used drugs in the first place.

7. 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.

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.