Since depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the country for adults and young people alike, parents might want to look for ways to reduce the incidence of this epidemic. One way for parents to help their child is by enrolling them in organized sports. Teenagers involved in organized sports experience lower levels of anxiety and depression in addition to receiving many mental and psychological benefits. Sports, such as basketball, baseball or football, can teach a teenager to rely on and trust others to achieve common goals, value everyone’s individual strengths and put collective needs before individual wants. Experts have discovered that teenagers who participate in organized sports also form healthy habits, improve overall mental health and increase their social well-being.
Healthy Habits
Teenagers who take part in sports are less likely to drink, smoke or abuse alcohol. Regular physical activity helps reduce the current trend toward childhood obesity and diabetes. Teens who develop a habit of exercise and healthy eating are more likely to continue doing so as an adult. Exercise improves confidence, concentration and memory. Learning the techniques of a sport give a child a sense of self-discipline that can be used both on and off the field. Sports help teens develop positive character traits and life values. Participating in organized sports teaches young people to win with class and lose with dignity. Losing motivates teens to work harder.
Improved Mental Health
Physical activity helps ward off depression and increases confidence while enhancing self-esteem. Athletic teenagers tend to have higher self-confidence than those who are less active. While concentrating on skill and techniques, teens are less likely to focus on what their bodies look like but on what they can accomplish instead.
Teens derive great satisfaction from mastering skills and meeting personal bests. Playing sports also offers a great outlet to reduce some of the pressure with which teens are faced. Learning how to have a positive outlook on an experience, positive or negative, is an important skill that teens can apply to other areas of life. Take advantage of the many excellent resources out there to help your teenager
Social Well-Being
Organized sports help forge strong friendships on and off the field. Teenagers who participate in sports share common goals and interests. Participation in team sports lowers delinquency and dropout rates, leading to increased possibilities for professional success. Structured sports encourage a sense of respect and responsibility for others that is reflected in the workplace. Teammates learn to depend on each other to achieve shared goals, teaching them trust and respect for others. Relationships built with coaches and captains are meaningful and important. The best coaches use their positive influence to instill healthy habits and be positive role models. Teens involved in organized sports learn to respect authoritative figures, such as referees, umpires and coaches and later, bosses.
When parents involve their teens in organized sports, they can see improvements in a teen’s mood, confidence and social skills. Playing organized sports helps young people develop into successful adults.
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