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How playing sports benefits your body ... and your brain
Bodyweight Balance
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9/2/2024
How playing sports benefits your body ... and your brain
Category
🛠️
Lifestyle
Transcript
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00:00
The victory of the underdog over the favored team, the last minute penalty shot that wins
00:12
the tournament, the high energy training montages.
00:16
Many people love to glorify victory on the playing field, cheer for favorite teams and
00:21
play sports.
00:22
But here's a question.
00:24
Should we be so obsessed with sports?
00:27
Is playing sports actually as good for us as we make it out to be, or just a fun and
00:32
entertaining pastime?
00:34
What does science have to say?
00:36
First of all, it's well accepted that exercise is good for our bodies and minds, and that's
00:40
definitely true.
00:42
Exercising, especially when we're young, has all sorts of health benefits, like strengthening
00:47
our bones, clearing out bad cholesterol from our arteries, and decreasing the risk of stroke,
00:53
high blood pressure, and diabetes.
00:55
Our brains also release a number of chemicals when we work out, including endorphins.
01:01
These natural hormones, which control pain and pleasure responses in the central nervous
01:05
system, can lead to feelings of euphoria, or what's often called a runner's high.
01:10
Increased endorphins, and consistent physical activity in general, can sharpen your focus
01:16
and improve your mood and memory.
01:18
So does that mean we'd get just as much benefit going to the gym five days a week as we would
01:22
joining a team and competing?
01:25
Well, here's where it gets interesting.
01:28
Because it turns out that if you can find a sport and a team you like, studies show
01:33
that there are all sorts of benefits that go beyond the physical and mental benefits
01:37
of exercise alone.
01:39
Some of the most significant are psychological benefits, both in the short and long term.
01:44
Some of those come from the communal experience of being on a team.
01:48
For instance, learning to trust and depend on others, to accept help, to give help, and
01:54
to work together towards a common goal.
01:57
In addition, commitment to a team and doing something fun can also make it easier to establish
02:02
a regular habit of exercise.
02:05
School sport participation has also been shown to reduce the risk of suffering from depression
02:10
for up to four years.
02:12
Meanwhile, your self-esteem and confidence can get a big boost.
02:16
There are a few reasons for that.
02:18
One is found in training.
02:20
Just by working and working at skills, especially with a good coach, you reinforce a growth
02:25
mindset within yourself.
02:27
That's when you say, even if I can't do something today, I can improve myself through
02:32
practice and achieve it eventually.
02:35
That mindset is useful in all walks of life.
02:38
And then there's learning through failure, one of the most transformative long-term benefits
02:43
of playing sports.
02:45
The experience of coming to terms with defeat can build the resilience and self-awareness
02:49
necessary to manage academic, social, and physical hurdles.
02:53
So even if your team isn't winning all the time, or at all, there is a real benefit to
02:57
your experience.
02:59
Now, not everyone will enjoy every sport.
03:02
Perhaps one team is too competitive or not competitive enough.
03:06
It can also take time to find a sport that plays to your strengths.
03:10
That's completely okay.
03:11
But if you spend some time looking, you'll be able to find a sport that fits your individual
03:16
needs.
03:17
And if you do, there are so many benefits.
03:20
You'll be a part of a supportive community.
03:22
You'll be building your confidence.
03:24
You'll be exercising your body, and you'll be nurturing your mind.
03:28
Not to mention having fun.
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