Nelson Mandela once stated: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” Sports is viewed as an essential way for a human being to stay fit and healthy. In fact, sports have so many benefits that books can be written about them.
Sports help to strengthen our organs. When we practise sports, our heart becomes stronger and the risk of getting heart diseases is reduced. Our blood vessels remain clean as the amount of cholesterol and fats in our body is reduced by doing physical activities. Our lung function also improves since we breathe in more oxygen rapidly and at the same time, more carbon dioxide is expelled from our body. As a result, our life expectancy increases.
When we are physically active, we get the chance to stop thinking about our daily stress and strains of life. The stress hormones of our body are reduced through physical activity and the latter stimulates the release of endorphins in our brain. Endorphins, also known as the happiness hormones, make us feel relaxed and full of energy.
Studies have found that participating regularly in sports and being active to promote good mental health. Sports help to improve our mood, reduce our anxiety, fight against negative thoughts and protect against depression. Furthermore, we can build our confidence and abilities through sports. When we perform well, we feel better and become more confident, thus giving us the ability to take on new projects and assignments at school or at work with our newly found confidence.
Sports help encourage national unity. Be it the Olympics or any world cup tournaments, sports encourage people from different parts of the world to come together and show their support for their country. Sports allow people of all ages and groups to come together and ply, thus it bridges the gap between the divided society. Moreover, sports promote gender equality. Women are given the same opportunities as men and this can lead to a change in the patriarchal mindset in society.
A sport is indeed an important aspect of our life. It increases the quality of our life. Sport should be made mandatory in schools and colleges and everyone should practise at least one sport. If we do not carry out any physical exercise, the consequences can worsen over time.
BY: Muhammad Farhaan Azmatally
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