Benefits of Sports

From better physical and mental health to an opportunity to make a lucrative career, playing sports has various advantages. Let’s discuss some of them in detail:

Physical Benefits of Sports

There are endless benefits of playing games and sports. Some of them are highlighted below:

Improves Physical Appearance: Obesity is among the most common health issues, not just in India but in the rest of the world. As discussed earlier, wrong eating choices, a sedentary lifestyle, and busy schedules are the common causes behind it.

If you have also gained unnecessary weight, consider starting to play sports. You will be surprised to know that certain sports activities are more effective than gym workouts when it comes to weight loss.

Apart from helping in reducing fat, playing sports enhances your overall appearance by improving your skin, hair, and facial aesthetics.

Enhances Flexibility: Sports also help in improving flexibility. As a matter of fact, individuals who regularly play sports and games are less prone to joint pain, backaches, and other mobility issues.

This is mainly because playing games involves the movement of all the body parts, making them highly flexible.

Reduces Risk of Heart Diseases: Every year, tens of thousands of people die due to heart attacks and other related cardiac ailments.

Health experts from all around the world suggest that participation in sports works dramatically in reducing the risk of heart-related problems.

Better Functioning of Body Parts: Playing sports is the best form of physical activity. It involves exercising multiple parts of your body at once, improving your overall bodily functions.

Increases Immunity: Participation in sports also works excellently on your immunity by improving your overall health.

Mental Health Benefits of Sports

Not just your physical health; playing sports is also beneficial for your mental health. Here is how:

Reduces Stress: This is one of the best benefits of sports and games. Busy schedules and increasing work pressure lead to stress and anxiety in individuals.

Playing sports is a great way to freshen up and unwind yourself. Certain high-impact sports like running, basketball, football, etc., stimulate “happy hormones” like endorphins and reduce stress hormones such as cortisol. This helps in lifting mood and relieving anxiety.

Fights Loneliness and Depression: Lack of socialisation and increased isolation lead to depression and loneliness, which is quite common in senior citizens. Note that sports are a good way to fight loneliness and depression as it helps in socialising with people who have similar interests.

Social Benefits of Sports

The importance of sports to health is known to a majority of people. Given below are the main social benefits of sports:

Helps in Building a Happy Community: Playing sports together with your friends and neighbours is a great way to strengthen your bonding and social relationships. It helps in building a happy and healthy community.

Brings Discipline: Another benefit of sports is that it brings discipline into your life. When you play a game, you need to follow various rules and regulations and a strict routine to keep your fitness levels up a notch. This makes you adopt a disciplined approach towards life.

Chance to Make a Career

Besides offering multiple health and social benefits, there are many other uses of sports. These are as follows:

Become a Professional Player: Playing sports is one of the most lucrative careers in India and all over the world. Sportsmen not only stand a chance to earn an impressive income but also gain fame and popularity.

So, if you are inclined towards a certain sport or game, you can consider building your career in this field. This can be done by enrolling into a sports academy and practising as much as you can.

Become a Coach: If you are good at a certain game, say football or swimming, you can become a coach or trainer. It will help you get a high-paying job in a sports academy, school or university.

This was about the advantages of playing sports. Let us now talk about some of the most popular sports in India that anyone can play.

There are numerous sports activities in which you can participate. However, if you are not sure which activity to take part in, here is your answer. Below are some of the best sports activities anyone can perform, irrespective of their age:

Swimming

Swimming isn’t just a sport; it is a survival skill. It is one of the best physical activities. Moreover, it offers various benefits for your overall health, especially cardiac health. Besides, it also aids in weight loss in the most healthy way. From toddlers to the elderly, everyone can participate in sports.

Cycling

Cycling is another great sports activity anyone can take part in. It works on increasing flexibility, accelerating fat loss, and reducing the risk of heart ailments.

Volleyball

Volleyball is another excellent outdoor activity for everyone. It offers fun, enjoyment and thrill at the same time. Not only does it improve your physical health, but it also helps in socialising. Further, it also encourages teamwork. You can even organise volleyball competitions to play with your near and dear ones.

Badminton

Badminton is a sport that is equally loved by all. From young children to people in their 50s and even 60s, it is enjoyed by all. It is a low-impact sport which helps in improving mobility and uplifting mood.

Running

Running is another sports activity that is excellent for your overall development. The best part is it is for everyone. Depending on age and health conditions, you can take part in low-intensity running or sprinting. Moreover, you can also take part in various marathons organised at city or even state level. Talking about the benefits of running, it improves joint health, reduces the risk of cardiac health and helps in reducing fat.

Injuries are unavoidable while playing games and sports. In fact, they are a sign of your participation and dedication. However, if your sports injury is major, then its treatment can become an additional burden on your finances. But you don’t need to worry about this if you have a suitable health insurance plan.

The right health insurance plan will help you get effective treatment for unforeseen sports injuries in a timely manner without having to worry about the hefty cost. What’s even better? At TAta AIG, we have an excellent network of 10,000+ hospitals and other healthcare facilities where you can avail cashless treatment from expert healthcare professionals.

So, buy a suitable medical insurance plan today and continue playing sports without worrying about any injury.

In case you are confused about which health insurance plan to purchase, browse our website and compare health insurance plans of various types and choose the one that aligns with your requirements.

Sports are essential for the overall development of individuals. As mentioned in the blog, it offers physical, mental, and social benefits to those who regularly take part in various kinds of sports activities. In short, playing sports is good for health, longevity and a great deal of fun and excitement in people’s lives. For these reasons, people from all walks of life should consider participating in sports activities of their choice.

Why is sports important for students?

There are many health benefits of sports for students, including better concentration, improved immunity, better brain functioning, increased flexibility, and so on.

**Which sports activities are suitable for the elderly?

There are many low-impact sports activities that are great for senior citizens, including cycling, swimming, yoga, bowling, badminton, tennis, and so on.

Is yoga a sport?

“Whether yoga is a sport or not?” — this has always been a never-ending debate. While some say it is a sports activity, there are others who strongly disagree.

A sport is a physical activity in which one individual or team fights against the other for the purpose of entertainment. Yoga clearly differs from this definition as it is purely an ancient spiritual practice.

What are the best sports for children?

Sports play a very important role in the physical and mental development of children. It helps them stay happy, healthy and fit while also teaching them important values like discipline, teamwork, equality, and so on.

Sports like swimming, football, basketball, archery, martial arts, and gymnastics are excellent for children of all age groups.