Physical activity and physical health are integral to good mental health. Organized sports are a great way to keep kids physically active, but they can play a major role in fostering positive mental health outcomes for youth.
When deciding whether team or individual athletics are right for your child, make sure to consider both the physical and mental health benefits of sports.
Physical Exercise and Mental Well-being
People who exercise regularly feel better when they finish their walk or workout session. Regardless of age or fitness level, exercise of all kinds triggers the release of endorphins. Endorphins are those “feel-good” neurotransmitters that help relieve mild symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Exercise also combats the negative effects of stress. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that about 8% of adolescents and teens experience stress-related anxiety disorder. Test anxiety, social pressure, technology overload, and family issues are only a few of the issues causing young people to feel stress.
The mental health benefits of youth sports can positively impact almost every aspect of a child’s life.
1. Building Resilience and Coping Skills
Participation in a youth sports program can help a child learn how to recover after a setback. Resilience is the ability to overcome adversity. Many parents want to protect their children from difficult experiences, but children need challenges and failures in order to learn resilience.
Missing a play, losing a game, or even being injured on the field gives young people an opportunity to learn how to handle adversity. Coaches play a big role in helping children work through these types of disappointments.
Good coaching is more than just showing a child how to throw a ball or swing a racket. Coaches support and motivate children, encourage open conversation, and help kids stay motivated to try their best no matter their outcome.
2. Social Connection and Team Building
Being part of a team gives kids a sense of belonging, but the value of team building goes further. Teamwork teaches kids valuable social skills they will use for the rest of their lives. Learning how to cooperate and support others helps kids become better friends, better students, and better people overall.
Youth sports allow children who feel isolated to build relationships with coaches and teammates. Team members often engage in social connections outside of sports. Frequent socializing combined with the close bonds formed during competition can alleviate loneliness and help children feel included.
3. Improved Self-Esteem and Confidence
Improving self-esteem is one of the most important mental health benefits of youth sports. Any challenging physical activity can contribute to the development of self-esteem. Several studies have concluded that participation in sports clubs, school sports, and other team events helps boost a child’s sense of confidence and self-esteem.
Participation in sports provides children with positive feedback and encouragement. Their individual strengths are recognized by coaches and peers. Being valued as an individual helps children feel more confident in expressing themselves in other aspects of life.
4. Goal Setting and Time Management
Some children seem to be born natural athletes, but even those with organic talent need to practice and set goals in order to improve. Participation in sports is a first-hand lesson on goal setting. The team has goals of how to improve the way they work together, and individual players have goals for improving their skills.
Children can experience in real-time how perseverance leads to success and that even small improvements make a big difference. They also learn lessons on time management and commitment.
5. Emotional Regulation and Mental Focus
Anyone who’s ever watched a Superbowl game knows that even grown men cry when they lose. They also know that throwing a tantrum or blaming others is considered bad sportsmanship.
No one likes to lose, but every athletic competition results in a loss for someone. Sports participation gives kids an opportunity to practice losing as well as winning.
Kids also learn about the importance of focus when they play sports. Keeping an “eye on the ball” or making sure your footing is secure before swinging a golf club are basic elements that help teach children how to concentrate even in the most distracting circumstances.
Mental Health Education Within Sports Programs
In recent years, sports fans have seen more high-profile athletes talking about mental health and the need to prioritize their own wellness over competition. Sports programs across the U.S. are responding by including more opportunities for mental health education within their sports curricula. For example, the University of California, Irvine, has established mandatory mental wellness programs for athletic team members.
Including digital and live youth mental health programs in schools is one way to provide mental health support for young athletes. Training athletic coaches and staff to recognize the warning signs of mental health concerns in young people and providing the necessary resources to help is also important.
Inclusivity and Accessibility in Youth Sports
Children cannot enjoy the mental health benefits of youth sports if they aren’t included or don’t have access. Girls, youth of color, low-income youth, youth with disabilities, and others may face additional barriers to participation. Sadly, the children who are most commonly excluded from youth sports are those who could benefit the most.
Some ways to address barriers and promote diversity in local sports programs include:
- Develop opportunities for coaches and staff to collaborate, such as an online forum
- Find resources for ongoing professional support
- Invite guest speakers and disability advocates to speak with key community members
Coaches and other qualified leaders could help expand inclusivity in youth sports programs by offering workshops and conferences focused on how to meet the needs of children who face inclusion barriers.
Kids Learn as They Play
The mental health benefits of youth sports are far-reaching. Being involved in sports helps build self-esteem and fosters a sense of belonging. Teamwork teaches kids how to give and receive support as well as how to regulate their emotions when faced with a challenge.
Teachers, parents, and coaches can help children reap the benefits of sports participation by investing in youth sports programs. To learn more about how you can support a child’s mental health, contact Rachel’s Challenge or book an event at your school.
