
3 Sports for Increased Wellbeing
We all know that physical activity is good for us. It helps us to have a healthy body and also improves our mental abilities too. With regular exercise, our concentration improves, we solve problems better and feel happier. It is also recommended as a treatment for conditions such as anxiety and depression. If you are looking to increase your wellbeing, this guide will show you some sports that you can benefit from, both physically and mentally.
- Team Sports
Team sports include options such as football, netball, hockey and basketball, yet a team can also be members of a sporting club, such as tennis or a running club. Being part of a team provides greater mental health benefits to some individuals, compared with those who exercise alone. But what is about being in a team that is so beneficial? There are many reasons. Being part of a team means you gain a social aspect to your sports, which can help you to develop friendships. You are also more likely to keep up with your sport if you have other team members who rely on you, so you stay fitter and healthier. If you want to know more about team sports in your area, a website such as HulaHub is a good place to start.
- Yoga and Pilates
If you have ever felt the effect of stress, then sports such as Yoga and Pilates help you become more in tune with your body and mind, allowing you to refocus your energy and create a positive mindset. Yoga, in particular, works well as a form of meditation, as you breathe steadily and concentrate your awareness to the sensations you feel in your body as you hold poses. You are in the moment without the worry of everyday life. Pilates too requires focus and helps to develop mental and physical strength that increases your wellbeing.
- Running
Running is a sport that gives you a cardio workout, but also helps you to have good mental health. When out for a run, you get the benefit of exercising in fresh air, while giving you time to think about things in your life. Some runners report having some of their best ideas while running. Also, runners benefit from a natural ‘high’, which is the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain that come from a sustained amount of exercise. After a run, many runners report feeling relaxed and in a good mood for the rest of the day.
Running as an individual allows you to develop strong discipline, while running with a friend or as part of a group helps to develop friendships, and this makes us all feel happy!
Sports and exercise play an important role in having a good sense of wellbeing, and regular exercise helps brings physical and mental benefits that permeate into every aspect of life. Sport is accessible to people of all ages and levels of income, so anyone can benefit. All you need is to get started, and you’ll soon begin to see the benefits sport has on your wellbeing.