As a student, I played a few sports and games, but not as much as I should have. It is one of the regrets I have till this day. Back then I observed the immense benefits athletes gained from their intense participation in the sports and games in school. Beyond the benefit of physical activity, they seemed to have a boost in self-esteem, mental alertness, outstanding social skills, great leadership qualities and so on. Sports and games are vital for the growth and development of every young person.
Unfortunately, several schools are not paying adequate attention to sports and physical education programs. While some of these schools lack training facilities, others have ill-equipped gym centers and sports stadiums. It is important for school-age children to have access to sports and games. School authorities must be willing to invest in modern equipment for their sports facilities. Every school sports arena must be properly equipped so that sports fans and athletes can have the best experience during sports. It is important to note that sports participation has been consistently linked to school success. This is one good reason administrators ought to make sports events exciting and memorable.
Sports and games provide many fantastic health benefits for both participants and fans. But for the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on the top 5 health and wellness benefits of playing sports in school. After reading this article, school administrators might encourage their students to participate in sports and games.
Boosts Psychological Well-being
Expert school counselors often reiterate the benefits of sports and games in improving the student’s self-esteem. Participation in sports empowers youths to be bold and confident in them.
When young people participate in school sports, they develop different kinds of techniques and skills. Studies have shown that male and female athletes have more positive body images than their sedentary colleagues. When young people put in their best to win games, they acquire a sense of accomplishment. This ultimately helps to boost their self-esteem.
Athletes learn to transfer all skills that have been learned during sports into the classroom. This is why most athletes have high academic performances. They are also likely to show psychological maturity.
Helps Youth Maintain Healthy Weight
Obesity in young people has become a source of concern for most health organizations. One recommendation given by experts is sports participation. Youths who regularly participate in sports are far more unlikely to become overweight.
If you want to reduce your risk of contracting a heart-related disease or deformity, participate in sports and games in school. Participation in school sports and games promotes the healthy development of the heart, lungs, muscles and bones. Sports participation also boosts stamina, strength, agility, coordination and balance.
Schools administrators should encourage sports programs in their schools, as this will go a long way to improving the health of their students.
Improved Mental Health
In our high-tech, fast-paced world, young people have become addicted to sedentary hobbies like playing video games, browsing the internet, gallivanting on social media and so on. These activities not only affect them physically but mentally.
Research has shown that young people who spend long hours on social media are prone to depression, anxiety, fatigue and other stress-related illnesses. Again, such children are at risk of growing to be inactive grownups. Exercise and physical activity assists in the reduction of stress levels, anxiety and developmental problems.
Sometimes, regular physical activity is all that a young person needs to relax better and reduce muscular tension. Very few things are as gratifying as experiencing the body release endorphin’s and other happy hormones.
Reduces The Risk Of Adopting Unhealthy Behavior
Criminologists assert that youths who participate in sports are very unlikely to commit crimes. This is because they have little or no unsupervised spare time on their hands.
Because athletes are rarely bored, they are rarely attracted to unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking and drugs.
Female athletes are more focused in school than girls who aren’t interested in sports. Female athletes understand and employ goal-setting, strategizing and planning in their everyday lives. This continues long after graduation. This explains why most female executives attest to having participated in school sports. This helps them become more successful in the workplace.
HEALTHIER SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
During my student days, I noticed that student athletes had stronger peer relationships. They also maintained a better attachment with adults, stronger self-confidence and healthier family ties. The most amazing aspect was their willingness to volunteer in community projects.
Everyone loved these athletes and wanted to be associated with them. They were incredibly reliable. They valued their relationships, their lives and the lives of their neighbors. Sports participation had taught these youths to take responsibility for their lives and actions. In real life, they acted as though they were on the turf, briefly examining their performances on the scorers table so that they could improve or congratulate themselves.
To have fantastic healthier relationships, youths should engage in sports. This will help them grow into happier and successful adults.
