Healthy living is one of the best things you can do to achieve reduction of stress. Looking at this holistically, healthy living includes your diet, exercise, environment, socialization and anything that effects your physical or mental health. Team sport has been shown to be a great form of stress reduction. Not only is it about the exercise, but team sport answers some of the other needs we have as human beings that can help reduce stress.
Lets take a look at the stress-reducing benefits of team sport;
- Socialization
It is a fundamental human need to socialize with others and an important part of stress relief for most people. Studies show that socialization helps the body to release the hormone oxytocin, known for its stress reducing effects. Team sports allow that socialization and the possibility to develop and nurture new relationships. They also help with the need to belong and participate with others.
2. Endorphins
Like other forms of exercise, participating in a team sport will encourage the body to release powerful endorphins. These are known to relieve pain and stress as well as give that ‘feel-good’ feeling.
3. Diversion
If you are feeling overly stressed, team sports can provide a much-needed diversion from the list of stressors in your life. It creates something more positive for you to focus on and can even provide you with feelings of accomplishment and increased self-confidence.
4. Self-Esteem
Engaging in team sport or indeed other forms of exercise can provide a much-needed boost to the self-esteem of anyone under stress. Comparatively, those who are relatively inactive experience more feelings of sluggishness, self-loathing and low self-esteem. With a team sport self-esteem can be boosted by the feeling of belonging and working together to achieve a goal.
5. Encouraging healthy habits
Having a regular commitment to a team sport can help bring about healthy habits that will assist with your overall stress levels. Exercise promotes better sleep and weight loss, while many people find that they eat more healthily as part of their commitment to exercise. It is also worth noting that the team environment can encourage these healthy habits – if others in the team are socializing around healthy behaviors and activities, it is more likely to rub off on others.
Team sport is another great tactic for you to add to your arsenal for reducing stress. The health benefits combined with opportunities to socialize with others are a great help to reduce or at least help you cope with stress. If you are not sure where to start, think about sports you used to play and enjoy and see what is offered locally. Otherwise, why not try something new? Many clubs offer lessons and beginner’s grades to get you started.
