Five Benefits To The Body As It Relates To Sports

Playing sports does more than burn calories; it helps balance your entire system. Participating in sports helps boost body image, reduces the appearance of aging, helps you release muscle tension, reduces pain and even encourages you to eat healthier. Join a school team, participate in club sports or find a local league to get started. Talk to your doctor before playing sports, especially if you are not normally active or have a preexisting condition.

Improves Body Image

Playing sports burns fat and builds muscle -- all of which improves your body image. Burning fat helps you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, while building muscle improves the shape of your body. Playing sports also builds confidence as you learn to work with others and develop new skills. On top of that, exercise releases endorphins -- chemicals that make you feel good and improve your outlook. People who play sports perceive themselves as more capable and attractive.

Strengthens Immunity

Exercising, and specifically playing sports, helps relieve stress. According to the American Psychological Association, stress negatively impacts immunity. A weakened immune system makes it harder to fight off illness and disease, leading to an unhealthy body. Playing sports releases stress through exercise and social contact. Joining a sports team allows you to make new friends that provide emotional support and pleasant distractions from day-to-day stress.

Helps You Stay Young

High levels of stress also cause you to look and feel older. In one study published in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences," women with high-stress lifestyles experienced signs of premature aging. Premature aging puts you at risk for diseases while also making your body less attractive. Playing sports facilitates stress management, so it may help you stay young.

Relieves Muscle Tension

According to the American Council on Exercise, exercise relieves anxiety and muscle tension. Full contact sports, such as football or rugby, may cause extra muscle tension, but joining a swim or cross-country team may have the opposite effect. Choose casual sports and play for fun to get the best results. Avoid extremely competitive situations that heighten tension and stress.

Promotes Healthy Habits

Participation in team sports helps you make better decisions about smoking, drinking and nutrition. Your team relies on you to work hard, and choosing to smoke or drink may negatively affect your performance and let your team down. Spending time with a group of health-minded individuals helps you avoid drugs and alcohol and encourages you to eat healthier so you can stay in shape.