Engaging In Sports For A Healthy Lifestyle

 

Members of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center compete in a volley ball game during the Center's annual Sports Fest on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 17, 2016. Sports Fest is a multi-sports elimination competition between the Center’s groups. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman William K. Veyon)

Source: nasic.af.mil

When the 2019 Sports Fest opened, it was a bright and sunny day – a day ready for action-packed physical activities, fun, and a coming-together of different communities to play sports. Organizers made sure that sports enthusiasts from each community participate in various sports, such as volleyball, badminton, golf, fishing, and kite flying, among others. There was a sport for everyone, adults and children alike. The sports fest was much more than just playing and winning. It was an event that was geared towards incorporating the love for sports with a healthy lifestyle.

Most people take part in sports to improve their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. There are several reasons why one must get involved in a sport, including weight loss, bone strengthening, flexibility, and improved stamina. Other equally important benefits of engaging in sports include:

  • Sports enables you to develop fitness and skills.
  • It helps fight anxiety and depression.
  • It pushes you to challenge yourself and set short and long term goals.
  • It helps aid in coordination and balance.
  • Most sports help enhance one’s memory and focus.
  • Competing in games allows you to meet new people with the same interests and build new friendships and relationships.
  • It is a great way to engage the family in physical activity together.
  • Long term participation in sports improves lung function and the other systems of the body.
  • Playing sports develops excellent and successful leaders.

 

Members of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center compete in a soccer game during the Center's annual Sports Fest at the Jarvis Gym track on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 17, 2016. Sports Fest is a multi-sports elimination competition between the Center’s groups. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman William K. Veyon)

Source: nasic.af.mil

Type Of Sports To Choose

It may take a while until we get definite conclusions regarding the health outcomes of the various types of sport, but even light exercise helps. Go out and see the role of golf in promoting active aging, or another light sport. So what do you do while waiting? Are you just going to sit and watch television all day, wait for the experts to release the results? No, of course not. Just choose the sport you love to do, or select something that’s affordable and convenient for you to do daily or as many times in a week as possible, keeping in mind that while you do it, you also prevent injury. Doing so will increase your chances of staying motivated and encouraged to engage in the physical activity long enough to receive its substantial benefits.