Trying a new activity can be intimidating. It can also be challenging to get started when you are a busy adult juggling the demands of a job and a family.
According to a survey conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, only about one-fourth of adults in the United States play a sport. If you’re considering taking up a new sport in adulthood, there are many reasons why you should give it a shot.
Playing a Sport Supports an Active Lifestyle
Between work and family obligations, it’s not always easy to find spare time. When you do get time to yourself, working out might be the last thing you want to do!
The best way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine is to find an activity you love. Exercise doesn’t need to take place in the gym. The more you enjoy your chosen activity, the more likely you are to stick with it and benefit from it.
If you need some help finding a sport that suits you, look to USANA Athletes for inspiration. From boxing to basketball to ballet, there are many different ways to move your body. The key is to find the one that you enjoy the most.
Joining a Team Can Make Exercise More Fun
If you’re an extrovert, going for a long run or lifting weights might not be your idea of a good time. Choosing a team sport to play can increase your physical activity while meeting your social needs.
Research suggests that people who participate in recreational team sports may experience more health benefits and enjoy physical activity more than those who participate in solitary activities, such as jogging. Playing on a team also expands your social support system and gives you the opportunity to form lasting friendships.
Learning New Things is Good for Your Brain
It’s no secret that exercise has physical benefits, but did you know it can help your brain, too?
Learning a completely new skill can be more difficult for adults than for children. However, contrary to what neuroscientists once believed, the human brain retains the ability to change and develop, also called neuroplasticity, throughout a person’s life. In fact, according to psychologists, learning new skills can help improve brain function.
Playing Sports Can Relieve Stress
Playing a sport is a great way to reduce stress and improve your mental health and mood. In the Harvard survey, more than half of adults who play a sport say that their stress has decreased and their mental health has improved as a result of playing sports.
According to the American Psychological Association, exercise causes a temporary increase in stress hormones. Over time, this may help you build resilience to stress and reduce anxiety.
Winning Isn’t Everything
Some adults hesitate to take up a sport because they worry that they won’t be good at it. Developing skills takes time, but you don’t have to play like the pros to enjoy a sport.
The results of the Harvard survey show that, for adults who play sports, personal performance is more important than victory. 56% of respondents said that they cared about winning, while 85% said that their own performance was important to them. If you focus on improving your own skills rather than competing with others, playing sports can be a rewarding experience that boosts your self-confidence.
Playing a Sport Can Help You Bond With Your Kids
If you’re a parent, stepping outside of your comfort zone to try out a new sport sets a good example for your children. When you take up a new activity, you show your kids that exercise can be fun, that it’s good to try new things and that you don’t have to be perfect at something to enjoy it.
Sports are also a good way to strengthen your relationship with your kids. Once you have the basics down, you can play together.
If you’re interested in trying a new sport, don’t let your age deter you. There are many benefits to playing sports as an adult. Trying out a new sport in adulthood can improve your health, broaden your social circle and boost your self-esteem.