Sports can be an effective physical and emotional release for anyone who participates. Whether it's a competitive sporting event like a football or basketball game, or an individual activity like running, participants often feel much better emotionally when the game is over than they did before the event. Sports helps relieve tension, anxiety and stress.
Immediate Feedback
Throughout day-to-day activities, many individuals are often left not knowing how they performed in a certain event. A test in school or a presentation at work doesn't always come with immediate feedback. On the other hand, when you participate in sports, you know how you did. It's up on the scoreboard for all the world to see. If you are a baseball player and you've just finished an at-bat, you have gotten on base or you have made an out. You know where you stand. Whether you succeed or fail, getting that immediate feedback removes much of anxiety because you learn where you stand.
Pride
Participating in sports or even increasing an exercise routine makes a person feel proud of himself. A person may decide to participate in sports more to increase his overall condition. The minute the individual starts that activity, a feeling of pride surges through the psyche because the person has set a goal and has taken the first step toward reaching it. For example, a person may decide he wants to get in better shape. Instead of getting the closest parking space at the shopping mall, he takes the furthest spot. The extra steps he has to take means more exercise. That results in an emotional relief and a feeling of pride.
Depression and Anxiety Relief
Participating in sports and athletic activities can relieve depression and anxiety for those suffering from various medical issues. According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, University of Georgia kinesiology researcher Matthew Herring authored a study that said 90 percent of the people suffering from an illness or disease had less anxiety and depression after participating in sports or exercising than those that did not.
