The day started off like any other. You woke up to the sound of honking horns and blaring music. You’re still stuck in traffic. Your boss gave you a warning just the other day. You try to avoid your boss, but you can’t escape the work that’s piled up on your desk. Your rent is due, and you can’t deal with your landlord’s calls and texts. The only thing you want to do now is go home, relax on your couch, and crack open a cold one.
I used to dread going to work, spending my days counting down the minutes until my shift ended. I was always exhausted, and my sleep-deprived eyes would be glued to the clock, hoping time would move faster so I could go home and crash.
But ever since the public basketball court opened next to my house, I've been going there most evenings to shoot some hoops. It's like revisiting my school days when I always looked forward to the PE periods, having casual sport games with my friends.
At first, I just went because it was something new and different, but after a few weeks of regular playing, I realized that I was sleeping better and working better.
So, is playing sports the answer to a stress-free life?
Exercising is often touted as a way to relieve stress, but sometimes it's the last thing we want to do after a long day. How can something that requires physical exertion help us feel better when we're already tired?
To understand the connection between stress and exercise, we need to understand what stress actually is. According to World Health Organization's definition, stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain.
So, when we're feeling stressed, our body and mind is under pressure. Exercise can be a way to release that pressure and tension, helping us feel better both mentally and physically.
There are many things that can cause stress in our lives, but for me, it has always been my responsibilities. Having to juggle work, family and social obligations can be overwhelming at times, and I often find myself trying to escape it all by scrolling mindlessly through social media or trying to sleep.
If you're someone who already struggles with anxiety, you know that it can be especially difficult when the problems seem to pile up. In these situations, it's important to take a step back and give yourself a break. This will allow you to come back to the situation with fresh eyes and a clear head, which will help you better deal with whatever challenges you're facing.
Many people use alcohol or cigarettes as a way of coping with stress. However, I'm sure we all know that neither of these are good for your health in the long run.
But why do people still do it? The thing is most of us always want something instant. But the problem is that instant relieve usually is temporary and does not lead to any substantial changes in the long run. However, an occasional game of sports may leave you feeling better than the methods stated above!
The benefits of playing sports go beyond just staying physically fit. Playing a sport can also help release mental and emotional stress. When you engage in physical activity, your body produces endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. This can help reduce anxiety and improve your overall sense of well-being.
Exercising at the gym can be beneficial for your physical health, but it may not do much to improve your mental health or relieve stress. Studies show that people who engage in team sports tend to observe more improvements to their mental health compared to those that exercise alone or play individual sports. This is because people who goes to the gym are not necessarily doing it with the intention to reduce stress, the primary reasons include staying fit, losing weight, building muscle etc.
The main goal for people when playing sports with friends is not to build muscle or get a six-pack, but to have fun; they use this time to take a break from all their responsibilities and simply enjoy themselves.
This reason alone makes playing a sport something you’d want to keep doing, as opposed to going to the gym which most people stop attending.
Playing with others requires you to socialize and adapt, two skills that will come in handy in many aspects of your life. You're also constrained by rules, which forces you to think creatively to overcome the challenges posed by your opponents.
After reading through the whole article, I'm sure you get the point that I am trying to convey! Open the Splink App, host a game and start making new friends and be less stressed out starting from today!
The day started off like any other. You woke up to the sound of honking horns and blaring music. You’re still stuck in traffic. Your boss gave you a warning just the other day. You try to avoid your boss, but you can’t escape the work that’s piled up on your desk. Your rent is due, and you can’t deal with your landlord’s calls and texts. The only thing you want to do now is go home, relax on your couch, and crack open a cold one.
I used to dread going to work, spending my days counting down the minutes until my shift ended. I was always exhausted, and my sleep-deprived eyes would be glued to the clock, hoping time would move faster so I could go home and crash.
But ever since the public basketball court opened next to my house, I've been going there most evenings to shoot some hoops. It's like revisiting my school days when I always looked forward to the PE periods, having casual sport games with my friends.
At first, I just went because it was something new and different, but after a few weeks of regular playing, I realized that I was sleeping better and working better.
So, is playing sports the answer to a stress-free life?
Exercising is often touted as a way to relieve stress, but sometimes it's the last thing we want to do after a long day. How can something that requires physical exertion help us feel better when we're already tired?
To understand the connection between stress and exercise, we need to understand what stress actually is. According to World Health Organization's definition, stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain.
So, when we're feeling stressed, our body and mind is under pressure. Exercise can be a way to release that pressure and tension, helping us feel better both mentally and physically.
There are many things that can cause stress in our lives, but for me, it has always been my responsibilities. Having to juggle work, family and social obligations can be overwhelming at times, and I often find myself trying to escape it all by scrolling mindlessly through social media or trying to sleep.
If you're someone who already struggles with anxiety, you know that it can be especially difficult when the problems seem to pile up. In these situations, it's important to take a step back and give yourself a break. This will allow you to come back to the situation with fresh eyes and a clear head, which will help you better deal with whatever challenges you're facing.
Many people use alcohol or cigarettes as a way of coping with stress. However, I'm sure we all know that neither of these are good for your health in the long run.
But why do people still do it? The thing is most of us always want something instant. But the problem is that instant relieve usually is temporary and does not lead to any substantial changes in the long run. However, an occasional game of sports may leave you feeling better than the methods stated above!
The benefits of playing sports go beyond just staying physically fit. Playing a sport can also help release mental and emotional stress. When you engage in physical activity, your body produces endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. This can help reduce anxiety and improve your overall sense of well-being.
Exercising at the gym can be beneficial for your physical health, but it may not do much to improve your mental health or relieve stress. Studies show that people who engage in team sports tend to observe more improvements to their mental health compared to those that exercise alone or play individual sports. This is because people who goes to the gym are not necessarily doing it with the intention to reduce stress, the primary reasons include staying fit, losing weight, building muscle etc.
The main goal for people when playing sports with friends is not to build muscle or get a six-pack, but to have fun; they use this time to take a break from all their responsibilities and simply enjoy themselves.
This reason alone makes playing a sport something you’d want to keep doing, as opposed to going to the gym which most people stop attending.
Playing with others requires you to socialize and adapt, two skills that will come in handy in many aspects of your life. You're also constrained by rules, which forces you to think creatively to overcome the challenges posed by your opponents.
After reading through the whole article, I'm sure you get the point that I am trying to convey! Open the Splink App, host a game and start making new friends and be less stressed out starting from today!