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The Benefits of Sports on Mental Health

Sports are not only a great way to stay fit, but also an amazing way to decompress and improve your mental health.

By John David HartiganPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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https://johndavidhartigan.org/the-benefits-of-sports-on-mental-health/

Sports can help improve your health and provide various benefits. It can be fun to play with friends or help keep you fit. Besides being beneficial to your physical health, playing sports can also help improve your mental state. Physical activities can help improve your mind and body while also helping to strengthen your body. It’s straightforward to start taking part in these benefits today.

Mood Booster

Try regular physical activity to get a burst of relaxation and happiness. It can help boost the serotonin levels in your brain and improve your mood. Whether playing sports or walking, regular exercise can trigger various chemicals in your brain to make you feel better.

Heightened Concentration

Getting active helps keep your mental skills sharp as you get older. It can also help improve your ability to learn and remember things. Doing various muscle strengthening and aerobic activities can help keep your mind sharp.

Less Stress and Depression

Besides being beneficial to your physical health, playing sports can also help lower your stress levels. It can additionally stimulate the production of endorphins, which are natural mood-lifters. These chemicals can help you feel more positive and relaxed after a hard workout.

Better Sleep

Besides being beneficial to your physical health, playing sports can also help improve your sleep quality. It can help you fall asleep faster and more profound. Getting enough sleep can also help improve your mood and mental outlook the next day. However, avoiding engaging in sports activities too late in the evening is essential.

Weight Management

The CDC encourages people to participate in sports as a healthy way to maintain their weight. Doing so can help lower your risk of developing diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. In addition, regular participation in sports can help reduce the risk of developing these conditions.

Higher Confidence

Besides being beneficial to your physical health, playing sports can also help improve your self-esteem and confidence. It can additionally help boost your strength and skills, which can help you feel more confident and capable of handling various tasks. Sports give people control and mastery, leading to pride and self-worth.

Strengthen Leadership Skills

Sports are also known to develop leadership qualities. According to studies conducted in high schools, people who participate in sports are more likely to develop strong leadership skills. They also tend to adopt a team mindset in social situations and the workplace.

About the Author

John David Hartigan is a seasoned finance professional with over three decades of experience in his field. Hartigan has dedicated his career to helping his clients achieve efficiency and growth while simultaneously developing a well-rounded team of professionals. John currently serves as Senior Managing Director at Albion Capital Partner, LLC of Chicago.

A graduate of both Georgetown and Northwestern University, Hartigan began his professional career at Banque Nationale De Paris/Cooper Neff and Associates as the Head Trader of their interest rate group. During this time, Hartigan controlled budgeting and strategic planning decisions for the interest rate division. John David Hartigan later went on to hold several senior-level titles while working for BNP Paribas, including Managing Director- Head of Execution Services, Member of the Executive Committee, and Managing Director-Listed Derivatives and Convertible Bonds Execution.

Outside of work, John Hartigan enjoys following various sports, including baseball and college basketball and football. Whenever the time allows it, John often partakes in golf and assorted water sports. He is thoroughly interested in both government and politics and enjoys traveling both domestically and internationally.

For more information about John Hartigan’s career and experience, visit his other website or check out his blog!

mental health
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About the Creator

John David Hartigan

John D. Hartigan is the Senior Managing Director at Albion Capital Partners, LLC, a Chicago-based consulting firm. John has three decades of experience working in business and finance and an impressive record of boosting business growth.

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