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The benefits of playing sports for teens are plenty. If you wonder why it is essential for teenagers to play sports, you would be surprised at the number of benefits it holds for good health and the promotion of interpersonal and social skills. As parents, with teens spending more time indoors, glued to their screens, it’s crucial to nudge and inspire them to take up regular exercise as part of their daily routine.
And introducing sports to teens early on is a fun way to help them understand why it’s essential to be physically active and its role in their academic performance and mental well-being. Here is how you can help them enjoy playing a sport or any physical activity.
What Are The Benefits Of Playing A Sport For Teens?
Playing sports helps to maintain physical fitness. But this is not the only benefit your teen will have if he engages in sports. Here is a quick look at how playing sports can benefit your teen (1):
1. Social Development:
Playing sports acts as a social skills activities for teens, which will help your teen grow socially. As your teen spends more time with their peers, through sports and teamwork, they will learn to come out of their shell and interact better. Your teen may be shy or self-conscious but as they meet other sports enthusiasts they will gain self-confidence (2).
Experts say2. Leadership Qualities:
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Sports are an excellent exercise to build team spirit and leadership skills. He will learn how to coordinate and cooperate with his team members. They will also learn to keep the interest of the entire team on top priority and develop a spirit of sportsmanship instead of thinking about their individual performance only (3).
Laura Orozco, a blogger, shares how playing sports paved the way for her career in the field of advertising. She says, “I played basketball and tee-ball as a kid, swam competitively, and ran track as an adolescent, and played volleyball and soccer all the way into high school. Playing sports was always a release for me — something I did to have fun and escape my schoolwork — but looking back, I think I learned just as much on courts and fields as I did in any classroom.
“For me, the learnings I picked up playing sports have translated seamlessly to my career — I believe I’m a better writer and a stronger teammate thanks to those early-morning practices and late-night games (i).”
3. Long Lasting Friendships:
Many adults will vouch for not only striking goals but also friendship on the playground! Your teen will form some of his closest bonds during these growing up years, right on the playground. As your teen shares their fears and secrets with these youngsters, a sense of camaraderie is sure to develop, forming strong bonds that may last a lifetime (4).
4. Coach As A Role Model:
Most trainers and coaches act as role models for teens. Your teen may not listen to you, but chances are, they will not say no to their coach. Your teen’s coach will mentor them not only in skill development and character building but also teach them about the importance of discipline in life (5).
5. Stamina:
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As your teen trains to play sports, he will slowly and steadily build his stamina. Sports are meant for staying healthy, being physically active and not to forget, enjoyment. Your teen will soon start enjoying these workout sessions. Real sports are also a great way to increase your teen’s mental health and strength (6).
6. Time Management:
When your teen gets involved in sports, he will also start managing his time better. Your teen will try to strike a balance between studies and sports, and this will mean he will start following a routine and utilizing his time productively. Goal setting can help them manage their time effectively. In addition to this, they will also develop a competitive spirit.
Sports Your Teen Can Get Involved In
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Your teen will highly benefit from playing one or more of the following sports:
- Basketball
- Cricket
- Football
- Athletics
- Tennis
- Badminton
- Volleyball
A Few Health Tips To Remember
Your teen will need more nutrition when he plays a sport. Here are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Encourage drinking plenty of fluids while playing sports in the sun to avoid heat strokes and dehydration in teens.
- Find out the right sports drink that is safe for your teen to drink.
- Ensure your teen wears the right sports gear and appropriate clothing.
- Ensure your teen eats a well-balanced diet in order to keep up with the high energy demands of the sports activity.
- Before your teen goes for the sports, give him something to eat that will be light yet nutritious and filling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do sports affect my teen’s health?
Playing sports regularly aids in the physical development of the teen (7). It can also lead to a better personality and improved psychosocial development.
2. What is the purpose of sports?
The primary purpose of involving teens in sports is to teach them healthy ways of overcoming challenges, how to win, build focus and self-confidence, and for stress relief. Additionally, it also helps them release frustration and temper in a positive way (3).
3. How do sports benefit the body and brain?
Playing sports helps maintain a healthy physique and boosts the blood supply and oxygen to the brain, improving the brain’s functioning.
Playing sports imbibes leadership qualities and boosts self-confidence and self-esteem in teens. It also tests the boundaries of your teen’s comfort zone and perseverance. It helps to push them beyond their cocoon, leading to overall personality development. A few more benefits of playing sports for teens include improving their attention span and time management skills. Furthermore, participation in vigorous activities is good for their health, improving their stamina and mental toughness. So, if these benefits have influenced you, encourage your teen to participate in sports. Once they have enrolled, ensure that they receive proper nutritional support to meet their physical needs.
Infographic: Health Tips For Teens When Playing Sports
Engaging in sports is good for your teenager’s physical and mental health and wellness. However, sports can also put your teens at risk of injury and other health issues. Check out the infographic below as we provide helpful suggestions to ensure teens’ health and safety when performing any sports activity.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Parents should motivate their teenagers to go out and play instead of spending time in front of screens.
- Playing sports is important in inculcating leadership qualities, teaching time management, and increasing stamina.
- Sports participation can boost self-esteem, reduce stress, and improve one’s mental well-being.
- Time on the playground also makes teens socially aware, helps them learn to make friends, and understand the value of team spirit.
- Staying hydrated, following a proper diet, and wearing the right sports gear is crucial for teens while playing sports.
Illustration: Amazing Benefits Of Playing Sports For Teens
Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team
Playing sports has physical and mental benefits. It can help children stay active and healthy. It can also improve their physical and mental well-being. This video explores the health benefits of kids playing sports!
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. How playing sports prepared me for a creative career in advertising?.https://medium.com/nerdwallet-design/how-playing-sports-prepared-me-for-a-creative-career-in-advertising-51b6d5934948
References
- The Benefits of Participating in Sports.
https://www.sutterhealth.org/pamf/health/teens/sports-fitness/benefits-of-sports - Young teens who play sports feel healthier and happier about life.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100922082330.htm - Rakesh Ghildiyal; (2015); Role of Sports in the Development of an Individual and Role of Psychology in Sports.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4381313/ - Why Exercise May Do A Teenage Mind Good.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/01/07/168616995/why-exercise-may-do-a-teenage-mind-good/ - Study Says Kids Emulate Athletes.
https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=100296 - Ashish Sharma et al; (2006); Exercise for Mental Health.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/ - Christer Malm et al.; (2019); Physical Activity and Sports—Real Health Benefits: A Review with Insight into the Public Health of Sweden.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572041/ - Physical Activity Guidelines for School-Aged Children and Adolescents.’
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/guidelines.htm
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