Studies show that more than 265 million people play sports all over the world. That’s around 4% of the entire population. Most ordinary people like to play some sport or the other. It is fun to get out interact with like-minded people, others who share the same passion as you do. Sports allow one to drift away and for a few hours, no problems outside the field exist.
Why do people play sports?
Many play to find a purpose in life. Others play to release stress, lose weight or improve their general health, make friends and enjoy social recreation and entertainment.
If people play sports for these positive reasons, there is definitely a positive return from sports as well.
Apart from the different health benefits sports have, playing sports can have significant psychological effects too.By indulging in sports, we can connect with the side of ourselves that is used to fight for survival. Sports can be an arena where all social norms are gone, and all that matters is who wins. The field can be a place where we let go of all standards that the world has.
Sports can also be a place of fulfilment. We can see ourselves tangibly improve, like learning to walk, except we remember when or why we went wrong and how we corrected it. Sports are excellent for the brain. They release endorphins and make us energetic and happier.
Not only do they make one fit and healthy, but sports also helpus in a variety of other ways. They help build character; they teach and develop strategic thinking, analytical thinking, leadership skills, goal setting, and risk-taking, to name a few.
Sports in psychology and life
Sports in psychology and life
Playing sports is a lifelong learning experience. Of all those who take up sports, few may eventually become champions, but all others will be winners too in so many other ways. Sports have helped many, and the principles of sports continue to strengthen all through difficult times.
Sports as a periodic routine come as a package of - self-discipline, physical fitness, and teamwork. Of course, it may have some negatives associated, like some extra time spent chilling out, etc., especially when one is in the middle of some academic preparation or an important deadline.
Most people in today’s world are purely focused on academics. As students-focus, concentration and goals (both long term and short term) are key elements needed to excel in academics. How do we develop these skills? Studies have shown that people who play a sport are more likely to be disciplined, perseverant and focused as compared with students who focus entirely on academics. They have a higher chance of being calm and composed in a stressful situation, for e.g. Exams.
A physically fit person also has better control over their body and its functioning. One knows themselves best when they push their physical limits and understand how their body reacts to different things and understands when to stop. Sportspeople tend to be quick thinkers, fast learners and resilient in all that they do.
All this amounts to improving one’s inclination towards maintaining a consistent character. Of course, we need to reinforce our nature through every channel of acquiring knowledge, but sports undoubtedly enhance these values of teamwork, leadership, sportsmanship and etc.
Apart from developing these values, can sports lead to better performance in life too?
Yes, it can. A sportsperson's life is very stressful, thus sportspeople are extremely organized, disciplined and efficient with their time, which are useful skills in the other sides and aspects of their lives as well.
Pushing oneself to the limit physically also boostsone’s academic commitment and perseverance. If one is not enjoying the work given to them, it helps to be able to get through and finish it. A lot of times one has to do things they may not be interested in, or perhaps just something they don’t like. However, we do it. And when it's done, we feel excellent.
Students are often advised to exercise because it has mood-enhancing benefits. The best student-athletes are also versatile, with an ability to improvise when things don't go according to plan. High-level of involvement in sports is a challenge and similarly poses unexpected problems such as injuries. If one looks at it positively, this helps one get more adapted to weaknesses and challenges. Student-athletes also tend to be better communicators and team players.
While sports do have a lot of advantages, they don’t come easily. They require sincere hard work, the willingness to not give up and a level of patience most people don’t have. However, once one accepts sports with their body and soul, it is ultimately a gift that never stops giving.
- Sonal Bera
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