Why I do sports.

Why I Choose To Do Sports

              Sports are a significant part of America's culture and I choose for them to also be a part of my life. I have always wondered how some people decide not to play sports, because for me, it is an outlet where I can let go of what I'm feeling and do what I love. After I am done playing, I always feel incredibly good and accomplished. I play three sports and I love them all equally: tennis, cross country, and track.  


                When I say sports are an outlet for me, I mean that I can put my emotions into what I'm doing and, not only does it make play better, but it also helps me manage my feelings.  For example, in tennis, if I am angry for whatever reason, I can keep that thought in my mind and it will make me swing harder. I take my emotions and kind of convert them into energy. Studies show that exercising can help decrease mild depression, anxiety, stress, and can even help relieve trauma. After I am done with my lesson, I feel less worked up about the situation and it becomes easier to resolve. 

           

                   Another reason I do sports is because I feel better about myself and my body when I consistently commit to doing it. If I am on vacation and I choose not to run, during the day I will feel lazier and not want to do many things. According to Heart.org: "Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability to function well." I think this is because of the lack of moving around and getting out of that stage where you don't want to get out of your home.

           



                 After I'm finished doing a sport it makes me more focused at my next activity and also makes it easier to get enough sleep. Sometimes when I am doing homework or learning in class I feel really energetic and I don't know what to do with the energy. That makes it hard to process the information I am getting. This is one of the reasons we have PE, lunch, and break. The Spark PE website declares that having PE can lead to "enhanced concentration and attention as well as improved classroom behavior." So we can get out all of our energy and become able to learn. I can also get more sleep from playing sports because I am drained of energy so I can fall asleep right away.

     
                   I asked my mom if she played sports when she was younger and she said no. She said that not exercising made her feel disconnected from her body and less strong. "After I discovered exercising, I had more energy, I felt confident and strong." This is why I choose to do sports and I would encourage others to do the same. Playing sports and exercising helps you interpret your emotions, feel better about yourself and and your body, focus in school and home work, get more sleep, and just to be a happier healthier person in general.

"Run often, run long, but never out run your joy of running." - Julia Isphording

Sources:

• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/exercise-fitness/emotional-benefits-of-exercise.htm
• http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/PhysicalActivity/StartWalking/Physical-activity-improves-quality-of-life_UCM_307977_Article.jsp#.WI5hhDtlmi4
• http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/how-physical-activity-affects-academic-performance/