The Impact of Team Sports on Overall Well-Being
Have you considered joining a sports team to enhance physical activity, strengthen team-building skills, and meet new people? Team sports boost your mental well-being, which can help you flourish in other areas of your life. During this time of year, sports such as hockey, football, volleyball, basketball, and many others are starting up. We will explore the benefits and areas to be mindful of when engaging in recreational and competitive team sports.
Benefits of Engaging in Team Sports
There are many cognitive, psychological, and interpersonal benefits to joining a sports team. The physical exercise helps reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The connection raised in team sports fosters a sense of belonging. For children and adolescents, team sports can reduce the risk of suicide and teach them skills and behaviours to help with their decision-making, cognition, and self-control.
This is critical as they are in an important developmental period that will help propel their educational and prospective careers. Sports also benefit young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities while navigating a transitional period in their support systems. They are at higher risk of feeling inferior and excluded. The value gained by joining a sports team helps them connect and build a sense of community during this period of uncertainty. For adults, sports can provide an outlet to release stress and interact with others. This improves social opportunities and long-term physical and mental health well-being. All sports provide inclusivity with the ability to incorporate individuals of varying cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds that allow everyone to engage. This has enriched sports history by having cultural influences that inspire and improve the game.
Areas to be Mindful of When Engaging in Team Sports
Whether you are engaging in recreational or competitive team sports, there are some areas to be mindful of to ensure it is not adversely impacting your well-being. The pandemic highlighted the severity of mental health concerns among athletes and the stigma associated with being open about their experiences. Depression, anxiety, and substance use are a few challenges associated with athletes. Due to stigma, they might find it shameful to seek professional help or support from friends and family.
While sports can help reduce stress, it can also be attributed to increased pressure the more competitive it becomes. You might recognize a need for perfectionism, a fear of failure, or self-criticism that can worsen your well-being. Conversations with your coach can help break the stigma and provide guidance on the steps to help you remain focused and well throughout the season. Furthermore, professional help through a trained therapist can help to build proactive strategies to work through your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and ensure it does not impact other areas of your life. The treatment plan would be tailored to meet your needs and honour your cultural background to help drive you forward. If you are interested in exploring options for counselling, click this link to book a free consultation, and we can help you find a therapist at Changing Tides Counselling that best fits your needs.
With the right tools in your toolbox, you can be prepared to enrich your life through the world of sports. Making new friends, challenging your skills and abilities, and engaging in an inclusive environment can help promote your well-being. It can also be a fun activity that brings families together by supporting in the stands, practicing, or watching it on television. For more information on sports and recreation opportunities in Guelph, visit The City of Guelph.
References
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