Sports – Why It’s Good For Mental Health

Anyone who has played sports or watched sports ever (which includes lots of you I’m sure), might scoff at the idea of sports being good for mental health.

Yet many others might inwardly say, “of course it is, you fool!”

What I want to focus on is watching sports, after acknowledging that playing sports is also good. I spent many a day watching sports growing up. Between figure skating and hockey there weren’t many days my family were not loading up the vehicle to drive the kms in to town to the rink. Plus I used to score keep for tournaments at my school. I loved it. I was right beside all of the action.

But as I got older, more and more time has been spent watching sports. It’s always been a highlight for me.

I admit for me, (and I am sure you will agree) when friends or family are the ones on the field, the court or the ice, your blood pressure or stress level might not be too balanced, since you are more emotionally involved and invested in the outcome.

But what I have really come to enjoy is watching live sports. Of course I have my favourites! Favourite teams and favourite sports.

Sharing exactly who I cheer for might have to wait for another post. Just in case. But the picture above will give you a hint or two.

I love live sports! Not just watching live on TV or the internet but live in person. There is something about being in the same space as the rest of the crowd, totally focused on the same thing as you and also invested in the same outcome as you are.

The sights, the sounds, the energy, the excitement and the emotion of being there.

Joining with hundreds or thousands of others who are excited about that great save or upset about that totally obvious missed call by the ref.

There is just something about sharing with so many others who feel the same way you do about the experience. Sharing the excitement, the joy, the disappointment and the anticipation.

I was watching the home town team one night a while ago. There were dirty plays, missed calls, exciting moves by the star player. And to top everything off, it went in to overtime!

Overtime in the playoffs. So exciting.

There is just something about being caught up in all of those things. Watching something live that no one has written, produced or edited so no one knows what is going to happen. And you can allow stress from other parts of your life move to the back of your mind and be forgotten for a time.

But you are on the edge of your seat so you won’t miss one play.

I don’t know about you but I really enjoy those things. Even though sometimes the blood pressure gets a bit higher than it should.

I’m sure I could do some digging and find lots of info and stats to support what I’m saying about the positive benefits of watching sports but quite frankly I’m just telling you what I know. Maybe you will agree or disagree, I am not sure.

It’s really cool watching athletes doing something pretty amazing with the wonderful skills and abilities God gave them.

It’s an exciting time up here in Canada since the seasonal weather changing means a change in which sports are happening. Lots of great things starting up for the summer.

So friend I encourage you to get out and enjoy any live sports you can. Go support your friend at a rec soccer game, go cheer on the junior hockey team, or even find out what amateur baseball game is happening. Support local amateur or professional sports and have a fun experience all at the same time. Just grab some friends or family and go.

You might even be watching an up and coming athlete before they make it big and you could say you saw them before their big break.

Comment below or send me a message if you have any thoughts about mental health and sports or anything else. Or shoot me a personal message through the contact form on the site. I would love it if you like this enough to share it with others. Please SUBSCRIBE in the box above, it helps you know more of what’s going on.