Does Sport Improve Our Psychological Life?

Sport is one of the most positive activities on a psychological level, since it favors the production of endorphins. Likewise, it improves physical condition and self-perception.

In addition to being good for the body, sport improves psychological life. Regular exercise can have a positive impact on depression, anxiety, and other disorders. Here’s why physical activity relieves stress, enriches memory, helps you sleep better, and improves overall mood.

As indicated by the World Health Organization, performing  moderate amounts of exercise is very good for a person, regardless of age or fitness level. Anyone can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to feel better.

Without a doubt, the key is to commit to some physical activity, no matter how mild, several days a week. Keep in mind that as exercise becomes a habit, you can add a few extra minutes or try more demanding activities. If you do, the benefits of exercise will begin to pay off.

Does sport improve the psychological life of an individual?

This is a recurring question for many people, both those who do sports and those who do not. To answer it, we show you the benefits on a psychological level that sports practice causes. Take note!

1. Reduce stress

When you are physically active, your mind is distracted from day-to-day stressors. This can help you avoid getting bogged down with negative thoughts.

According to a Mayo Clinic article, sport lowers the levels of stress hormones in the body. At the same time, it stimulates the production of endorphins, which help keep stress and depression at bay.

2. Improve self-confidence

Regular exercise that accompanies sports practice increases confidence and self-esteem. This is due to the general improvement it produces both physically and health and aesthetics, according to a publication of the Merck Manual.

3. Prevents cognitive decline

Regular physical activity helps maintain mental abilities as you age. This was confirmed by a recent study published by Frontiers In Psychology , which found that moderate exercise promotes cognitive flexibility, while more intense exercise enhances the speed of information processing.

4. Stimulates memory

According to research published by Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology in 2012, regular physical activity enhances memory and the ability to learn new things.

In this sense, exercise increases the production of cells in the hippocampus, which are responsible for memory and learning, and even neurogenesis, that is, the formation of new neurons. This is explained in a Behavioral Brain Research study .

5. Increase relaxation

People who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them a noticeable sense of well-being. This is due to the generation of endorphins mentioned above, and also confirmed by a study in Sports Medicine .

Therefore, if you exercise you will feel more energetic during the day, you will sleep better at night and you will feel more relaxed and positive.

6. Improves mood

Lastly, physical activity triggers brain chemicals that make you feel happier and more relaxed. It is precisely about endorphins and serotonin.

On the other hand, team sports in particular provide social benefits and the opportunity to relax and participate in a collective challenge that improves fitness.

For this reason, it might be advisable to practice a team sport, since it will allow you to experience the benefits of sports practice from the social side. Team sports reduce isolation and create the opportunity to make new friends.

“The pain is temporary. It may last a minute or an hour or a day or a year, but over time it will diminish and something else will take its place. However, if I quit, that will last forever. ”
-Lance Armstrong-

How to overcome excuses?

Now that you know that sport improves psychological life because it helps you feel much better, and that it also does not require as much effort as you might have thought, it is time to put excuses aside. These are some of the most common when it comes to doing sports:

• You’re Tired – When you’re tired, it seems like exercising will make it worse. However, the truth is that physical activity is energizing. Regular exercise reduces fatigue and increases energy levels, according to the Merck Manual publication cited above.
• You feel overwhelmed: exercising doesn’t seem feasible when you’re really busy. However, physical activity may help you do everything else better. If you start to think of physical activity as a priority, you’ll soon find ways to fit small amounts into a tight schedule.

• You are hopeless: exercise helps you get in shape. If you are inexperienced, start slowly with a low-impact movement a few minutes a day.
• You feel bad about yourself: No matter what your weight, age, or fitness level is, there are other people who share the goal of getting fit. Meeting even the smallest fitness goals will help you gain confidence in your body.

Playing sports will help you in many ways

In short, it is obvious that sport improves the psychological life of the person. For this reason, professionals agree that regular exercise is recommended for the entire population.

As you have seen, this has many benefits. To these we must add that there are options for all tastes and no one is excluded, regardless of their age or even if they have previous pathologies. Choose your favorite sport or exercise and check all its positive consequences.