Your parents may have placed you into a sports team at a young age. After falling in love with the sport, you continued with the team into your teen and adult years. Participating in any sport has beneficial effects, such as moderating your weight, but the effort goes beyond the physical. Take a look at the mental perks that go along with team sports. Your life remains shaped by these interactions.
Supporting a Team Effort
By participating in sports, most games require a team effort. The sum of the team’s parts are more powerful than the individual. Keep this fact in mind as you watch the team move ahead in the industry rankings. You may not be the best pitcher in baseball, but your teammate is incredibly talented in that area. Everyone gives their all, which gives you a mental boost with all of your contributions. You feel fulfilled even if the team doesn’t perform perfectly during each game.
Building Lifelong Friendships
Friendships can come and go. They leave both good and bad scars on your emotional self. Working toward a goal with a team that consists of your friends creates a different dynamic. These bonds are forever forged between you and the other teammates. Your experiences are unique, which forms respect and confidences between people.
Lifelong friendships are a core part of being human. It’s a fact that people live longer when they’re more social with loved ones.
Craving Healthy Foods
Participating in any sport requires energy. The exercise your body experiences, for instance, will actually cause you to crave healthy foods. A cool salad or iced beverage might be on your mind. Your body’s metabolism will also be activated at a higher pace, which means that you’ll burn your food faster than before.
Don’t be afraid to indulge in some foods, such as steaks. The protein is good for the muscles. In addition, the saturated fat isn’t as harmful as once thought either, reports Nina Teicholz in her story “The Big Fat Surprise.” Moderate your food intake so that you’re mentally pleased as you head off to practice.
Improving Your Self Image
There are both good and bad days when you play sports. For the most part, you’ll have a better self-image as you play any skilled game. You have unique skills that others don’t possess. The body reacts to your will as fast-twitch muscles continue to thrive. Feeling good about yourself is one of the toughest parts of life. Playing sports only lifts you up on both mental and physical levels.
Participating in Problem-Solving Efforts
Your mind may lose a few neural connections over time, especially into adulthood. Keep your mind fresh by playing a sport. Any game requires some form of problem-solving. These activities force your brain cells to work together as you create new connections through life. Maintaining a sharp mind is paramount as you enter middle age and beyond.
There are drawbacks to team sports where the group dynamic isn’t a healthy one. Be critical of your own groups. If change can’t occur within the team, it may be time to move forward. Although you have a commitment to one group, you must also be true to yourself. Be honest with the team as you seek out another group. Sports will be forever evolving.