Do Sports Relieve Stress – How, and at What Level?

In today’s world of overwhelming to-do lists and the need for instantaneous results, many people may find that their stress levels are at an all-time high. Fortunately, sports may offer a means of effective stress management in addition to improving overall health and fitness. However, according to Sarah at allpro, individuals are most likely to experience these benefits when participating in sports for fun; participating in professional athletics can add to stress due to high performance expectations.

Stress Management

Playing a sport for fun can have numerous physical and mental benefits. Participating in physical activity builds physical fitness and aids in healthy weight management. Allocating time to a fun athletic hobby can allow everyday people to take their minds off the daily stress they may experience from school, work, or other situations. Sports also offer the opportunity to interact socially with other participants. Increased positive social interaction may also reduce stress. While it is best to be physically involved in a sport, there are also benefits to watching sports. For some people, tuning in to a favorite sport can be a way to relax after a stressful week. Attending sporting events can also be a short, exciting getaway from a strict daily routine.

Direct Health Benefits

Engaging in exercise has a direct impact on the body’s response to stress. People who suffer from insomnia due to increased tension may benefit from exercising each day. Exercise causes the body to release endorphines, which can elevate a person’s mood and induce a greater sense of relaxation. When a person exercises, he or she also releases physical stress that may otherwise be stored in the body as tension. Participating in low impact activities such as swimming or Pilates can be extremely relaxing and may help regulate the heartbeat.

When Sports May Cause Stress

There are situations in which participating in sports may actually be stressful. These instances occur in children and adult athletics. When children are placed under pressure to perform at a certain level, the child may feel the stress of not wanting to disappoint his or her parents, coach, and teammates. For this reason, children should only be allowed to participate in athletic opportunities that focus on personal development as a top priority. People who compete in sports to earn a living may also experience high amounts of stress. In addition to being expected to perform well by fans and coaches, professional athletes must compete in order to earn a living. Furthermore, avoiding injury is always a major concern as having to sit out while rehabilitating an injury may translate to lost income or even a lost position on the team. Gambling is another sports-related activity that can very easily lead to increased stress as well as financial strain and even addiction.

Sports can be an excellent outlet for reducing stress when the individual focuses on having fun and remaining healthy. In addition to allowing the mind to concentrate on less stressful thoughts, playing sports offer a perfect opportunity for social interaction, which may especially benefit people who have difficulty meeting people due to experiencing anxiety in other social settings. Moreover, the physical changes that take place in the body when a person plays a sport make participating in leisurely athletics well worth it.

About the Author

Sarah writes about the NFL on her blog.