By Chris Roberts, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Parents generally want what’s best for their children, ensuring they grow up strong, happy, and well-adjusted. One of the most effective ways to support their development is through physical activity, which plays a crucial role in building both their bodies and minds.
At BRAINS, we understand the transformative power of exercise, balancing the body and brain, and kinesthetic movement. A big part of this ideology is sports and how they can significantly improve mental health.
Here’s how participating in movement-based activities can boost your child’s emotional well-being:
1. Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is crucial for mental health, and sports, alongside movement-based interventions, are powerful tools for boosting a child’s confidence. Achieving goals, overcoming challenges, and improving skills in a sport can help children develop a positive self-image. They gain confidence not only in their athletic abilities but also in other areas of life, including academics and social interactions. The encouragement they receive from teammates and coaches further enhances their self-esteem, helping them build a belief in their abilities.
2. Social Connections and Friendship
In a world dominated by screens, sports offer children the opportunity to connect with peers in meaningful ways. Team sports, in particular, foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Working together towards a common goal teaches kids valuable social skills like communication, cooperation, and empathy. The friendships formed through sports often extend beyond the playing field, creating a supportive network that combats feelings of isolation, which is especially important in today’s digital age.
3. Developing Resilience and Coping Skills
Sports provide an excellent environment for children to learn resilience. They experience both success and failure, which teaches them how to cope with setbacks in healthy ways. The ability to bounce back from a loss or mistake builds a growth mindset, allowing kids to view challenges as opportunities for improvement rather than obstacles. These coping skills are essential for their mental well-being as they grow older.
4. Reducing Anxiety and Depression
Research has shown that regular physical activity can have a significant impact on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in children. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin, two key chemicals that regulate mood and promote feelings of well-being. Engaging in sports helps children feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose, which can significantly reduce feelings of sadness, worry, or low self-worth.
The Power of Sports, Nature, and Movement for Mental Well-Being
At BRAINS, we have access to a well-maintained footpath and a beautiful green space to spend time in nature during sessions. Some of the benefits of nature and mental health:
- Spending time outdoors has a significant positive impact on kids’ mental health.
- Engaging with nature allows them to release stress, improve mood, and boost focus by providing a break from the overstimulation of screens and structured environments.
Outdoor activities, like sports, help children develop resilience, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional well-being. The natural environment offers a calming space where kids can explore, be creative, and socialize, all of which support healthy mental and emotional growth. In fact, studies have shown that “nature bathing,” or simply being in nature, offers numerous benefits to one’s mental health, such as improved attention, lower stress, and better overall mood.
Our team of experts is clinically trained to successfully incorporate nature’s healing benefits into meaningful therapeutic activities in psychotherapy, occupational therapy, and even speech therapy. Investing in your child’s involvement with BRAINS isn’t just about promoting mental health and well-being; it’s a key step in helping understand and develop successful human beings.
References
Hoffmann MD, Barnes JD, Tremblay MS, Guerrero MD. Associations between organized sport participation and mental health difficulties: Data from over 11,000 US children and adolescents. PLoS One. 2022 Jun 1;17(6):e0268583. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268583. PMID: 35648742; PMCID: PMC9159603.
Memphis Youth Athletics. “How Athletics Affects Your Child’s Mental Health.” Memphis Youth Athletics, 1 Nov. 2024, memphisyouthathletics.org/how-athletics-affects-your-childs-mental-health/.
April 22, 2024 | Pediatrics. “Why Are Youth Sports Programs Important?” Scripps Health, 29 Apr. 2024, www.scripps.org/news_items/7580-what-are-the-surprising-benefits-of-youth-sports-programs.