Importance of Sports: Personal Growth and Health Benefits

I am proud to say that I am a sports enthusiast, playing cricket, volleyball, chess, and kabaddi, and I am also the captain of my college kabaddi team. Participating in sports and tournaments have significantly improved my personality, helping me in my career and allowing me to deal with personal and professional problems more effectively. When you play a sport, you learn communication skills, leadership skills, and problem-solving, which are essential for building a successful career.

How Sports Shaped My Personality

During my childhood, I was a very shy person, not talking much to others and assignable as an introvert. However, when I started playing sports, I gradually overcame these shyness. Sports taught me valuable lessons in discipline, which is a crucial element in our lives. If you are disciplined, you consistently work towards your goals and can achieve them more easily. That is why our forefathers were so active and powerful; sports played a significant role in their lives.

Beyond Personal Transformation

The positive impacts of sports extend far beyond personality development. I am a lifelong golfer and swimmer who did not find it appealing to run quickly enough for other sports. Swimming for four years at Florida State University on a scholarship and being a part of the PGA provided me with a profound understanding of the value of commitment and hard work. Sport is the ultimate form of an in-the-moment activity, and depending on the sport, it can be an excellent way to stay in shape both physically and mentally. I highly recommend sports as a vehicle for anyone to achieve a better life.

The Health Benefits of Sports

In addition to personal transformation, sports provide numerous health benefits. The American Heart Association suggests 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, but it can be challenging to fit this into a busy schedule. Participating in sports simplifies this process because they typically involve vigorous exercise, so you only need to focus on 75 minutes each week to achieve the same benefits. This makes achieving a healthy level of activity much easier.

Moreover, sports activities are enjoyable and can be something that excites everyone, whether it's tennis, cycling, kayaking, or rock climbing. The wide range of sports available means there is an activity that can be comfortable for almost everyone. This makes exercise more exciting and less of a chore, thus increasing the likelihood of finding the motivation to do it.

Furthermore, when you achieve the recommended level of activity through sports, the health benefits are undeniable. These include a 50% reduced risk of diabetes, a 35% reduced risk of coronary heart disease, a 50% reduced risk of colon cancer, a 20% reduced risk of breast cancer, a 30% lower risk of falling as an older adult, and a 30% lower risk of death. These benefits are significant and can be achieved with as little as a single game per week.

Besides these obvious health benefits, the significance of sports lies in the fact that they encourage other healthy behaviors. To perform well and dominate matches, you will likely smoke less, drink less, eat better, and get more rest. This competitive motivation leads to a more balanced lifestyle overall.

Exercise is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding cardiovascular issues. However, going to a gym can be overwhelming. Sports, on the other hand, feel more fun, social, and fulfilling, making it much easier to achieve the aforementioned health benefits.

In terms of emotional well-being, participating in sports has a profoundly beneficial impact on one's happiness. The boost in mood comes from a variety of sources, both neurological and mental. Sports release dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which reduces the risk of depression by up to 30%. These "mood" chemicals are crucial for a stable and positive disposition. Any form of exercise stimulates their production, but sports seem to do so more effectively, especially when you score a goal or win a match.

Moreover, since many sports are practiced outside, you also get more vitamin D. This has been shown to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. While taking vitamin D supplements can be a treatment for depression, getting it directly from the sun is a more natural and effective method.