Playing Team Sports to Improve Mental Health

Participating in team sports can improve mental health.

To honor the U.S. World Cup 2014 team who, in spite of their Tuesday loss to Belgium, played inspiringly throughout the tournament, this week's blog post examines the mental health benefits of playing team sports.

It is no secret that there are many mental health benefits to exercise and physical activity. Medical professionals and the media frequently offer studies and information linking physical activity to improved mood. According to this 2013 article by Treacy Colbert, “physical activity stimulates brain chemicals that make you feel happier and more relaxed.” Colbert also notes that with regular exercise, individuals gain more confidence in their abilities, which with steady and gradual improvements, can contribute to improved self-esteem.
It is likely that you have heard runners talk about the “runner’s high” that they get from a boost in endorphins during and after a long run, or that you know someone who participates in a regular practice of yoga, tai chi, or martial arts--activities known for helping to improve one’s focus and relieve stress. An increasing level of research, however, is now showing that while exercising alone is extremely valuable to one’s overall mental health, participating in team or club sports provides additional benefits.

In an Australian study, researchers found that women who participate in a variety of club sports experience better overall mental health than women who exercise individually. Not only did the social interaction of participating in a club or team amplify the mental health benefits associated with physical activity, women who exercised with others in a team setting were more likely to maintain healthy levels of exercise than those who exercised alone. In many ways, the support of others can keep us on task with our goals as well as keep us from feeling isolated.

With children and adolescents, researchers are finding that team sports can help to lessen bullying. In this article by Jodie van de Wetering, Robert Newton, foundation professor of exercise and sports science at Edith Cowan University in Australia, states that 

“There is some very strong research…showing that involvement in sports reduces a kid’s tendency to bully other kids, and if you’re involved in sport you are much less likely to be bullied yourself. So given the problem that bullying is, this is a very good outcome.”

Van de Wetering also explains that other researchers have found that human involvement with a team, when combined with physical activity, boosts a sense of community and can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Clearly, for all age groups, participating in a team sport holds many benefits. A foundation of physical activity improves overall health—physical, emotional, and mental. A group of like-minded individuals striving for a common goal can provide a person with a sense of community and belonging. Many sports, such as soccer, require strategy, cooperation, and perseverance. Often, a sense of purpose and of being part of something larger than one’s self can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.

Most striking is the evidence that participation in team sports can reduce bullying in children and adolescents. Bullying has become too widespread in our society. If something as simple as involving one’s children in team sports can reduce the risks of a child both being bullied or becoming a bully, perhaps it is something that should be adopted more widely.

Many towns and schools offer team sports for children and adolescents, and we recommend that parents take advantage of these offerings and look into involving their children in physical group activities. For adults, it can seem more of a challenge to find an athletic community with which to participate. We recommend looking into what activities and classes your town community center might offer.

Here at NECBT we know that not everyone has the confidence or motivation to participate in any kind of physical activity, let alone team sports. Often, we can talk ourselves out of doing what we know will benefit our lives. To read some I-CBT tips on how to embark on a healthier lifestyle, please take a look at this previous post.

If you feel that your deeply-rooted beliefs about yourself and your abilities are keeping you from moving forward toward a healthier lifestyle, please call our office at 860-430-5515 to make an appointment with one of our I-CBT trained therapists. At NECBT we can help you or your children learn life-long skills that can help you to both reach and maintain your goals for a healthier lifestyle.