Engaging in athletics has clear physical benefits, such as building healthy strength and endurance, but it also has numerous mental health benefits. Finding a love for a sport and dedicating yourself to it can boost mental wellness.
Sports and Exercise: 12 Tools for Emotional Wellness
- Sports can help with stress-management: 75%–90% of medical visits are for stress-related illnesses. Engaging in sports can calm the mind and lead to overall better mental and physical health.
- Exercise lowers levels of cortisol: Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the body. While intense exercise may increase cortisol in the short-term, it leads to longer lasting decreased cortisol levels at night. Keeping cortisol levels in check is crucial for physical and mental health. Harmful effects of high levels of cortisol include high blood pressure, negative mood, low energy, weight gain, and disrupted sleep.
- Physical activity releases endorphins: Endorphins are neurochemicals released by the body that make you feel good after a workout. The feel-good benefits of endorphins are plentiful. Endorphins can help fight depression, reduce stress and anxiety, boost self-esteem, and fight pain.
- Sports can help fight addiction: Studies have shown that engaging in sports may help fight addiction. Exercise can increase levels of dopamine—the body’s response to pleasurable experiences—and can be a healthy alternative to potential urges to seek pleasure from drugs, alcohol, or even overuse of social media and the internet.
- Sports can offer a support network: Those who share an interest in your sport, such as teammates, coaches, trainers, spectators, and even competitors, can be a positive support system. They can offer support in good and challenging times and decrease a sense of isolation.
- Exercise improves sleep: Regular exercise can help with regulation and maintenance of healthy sleep patterns. Getting regular sleep and the right amount of sleep is important for mental health and helps with the regulation of emotions.
- Exercise can help manage trauma: Focusing on the body during exercise can offer relief from negative emotions associated with traumatic experiences.
- Physical activity improves memory and cognitive functioning: Exercise can help you be more mentally sharp.
- Sports can enhance self-esteem: Working out can make you feel powerful and offers a sense of control, which can help improve self-esteem and confidence.
- Exercise can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety: Exercise can improve mood and reduce anxiety. In addition to the release of endorphins—feel-good chemicals—that can ease depression and anxiety, engaging in a sport can take your mind off your worries and interrupt negative cycles of depressive, negative, or anxious thoughts and feelings.
- Sports offer a healthy way to cope: Healthy coping skills are key to strong mental health. Engaging in a sport can offer a healthy outlet for coping with life’s challenges.
- Sports can give emotional rewards and a sense of accomplishment: Engaging in a sport such as wrestling can be emotionally rewarding. Working towards goals, dedication, resilience, and determination can enhance feelings of self-worth and accomplishment.
Taking care: It is important to note that any negative impacts of engaging in sports should be addressed so that mental wellness can grow and remain strong. For instance, if a sport causes undue or extreme pressure to succeed or interferes with healthy sleep patterns, nutritious eating, or positive relationships, proactive steps should be taken to manage the issues in the interest of strong physical and mental health. With healthy practices, sports can be a win-win—benefiting both the mental and physical health of athletes.
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
