Participating in sports, especially with a team, greatly impacts and ultimately improves students’ mental health. Whether by decreasing stress, building applicable life skills, or simply encouraging positive feelings, sports can be a valuable asset to students. A study conducted by JAMA Pediatrics even goes so far as to say that participation in sports reduces the likelihood of the development of depression or anxiety.
Sports favorably contribute to many aspects of students’ daily lives, causing a notable decrease in stress. Exercising alone assists in stress management, and remains a top solution, according to the US Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Participating in sports takes this benefit a step further by also boosting self-confidence and general mood. By taking charge of daily stress, improving self-esteem, and bettering an outlook on life, students can reduce their risk of struggling with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety later in life.
Involvement in sports also aids in building life skills. Catherine Sabiston, PhD, of the University of Toronto co-authored a study that determined “Team sports offer a heightened emphasis on group goals, social support, and sense of connection that provides more opportunity for learning adaptive coping strategies that can be essential for long-term mental health.” Other research shows that sports can both improve concentration and sleep schedules. All of these factors show how sports can promise a bright and promising future for students.
Although sports can be draining or time consuming, the certain and eventual effects of participating in them almost always benefits students both in the short and long term. Whether by making daily life more enjoyable and less stressful or promising a hopeful and healthy future, involvement in sports clearly benefits students.
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