The magic of social sports

Social sports are organised recreational activities that utilise sports to bring people together in a friendly, competitive environment¹. Teams can be made up of close friends and whānau / family, work colleagues, or passionate individuals grouped together by event organisers. There are often a variety of social sports opportunities in your community such as netball, bowling, futsal, or basketball that offer not only physical benefits but a boost to your mental wellbeing too.

So, if you’re thinking about getting involved in social sports or looking to convince your friends and family to join your team, here’s a look at the benefits of social sports.

We all know that moving our bodies and getting active offers many health benefits. And if you’re looking to switch up your exercise routine, playing social sports is a great option to add to your repertoire. 

Playing sports often involves a lot of cardio (think running and jogging) that gets your heart pumping and lungs working hard, which improves cardiovascular health and helps reduce your risk of heart disease². Exercise and physical activities can also improve strength, flexibility, and balance. This is particularly beneficial for aging bodies to help reduce risk of falls and osteoporosis³.

Engaging in social sports can have a tangible impact on mental wellbeing. Social sports, which encompass any form of recreational sport played in a team or group setting, serve as a powerful tool in fostering social connections, reducing stress, and enhancing overall mental health.

When you are part of a sports team, it fosters a sense of belonging and pride as well as feelings of inclusion and support. Many schools have various sports team that children can join so they can enjoy the benefits of playing sports and develop skills they can use throughout their lives⁴. There are also several local clubs that have sporting events for a variety of age groups so even adults can get involved.

Some of the benefits social sport offers our mental wellbeing include:

1. Social connections and sense of belonging: Bonding over shared experiences, friendly competition, and working towards a common goal will help to develop more genuine relationships with increased trust and collaboration. The social bonds and camaraderie developed on the field or court often translate into lasting friendships off it, offering a social network that can provide support during difficult times⁵.

2. Reducing stress and anxiety: Physical activity releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural mood elevators. Combined with social connection, that’s a double boost of feel-good endorphins⁶.

3. Increased focus: The focus required during sports can also serve as a form of mindfulness, allowing individuals to temporarily escape the daily grind and engage fully in the moment⁷. This combination of physical exertion and mental focus can lead to a noticeable decrease in stress levels, contributing to better mental health.

4. Improved self-esteem and confidence: Setting and achieving goals, improving skills, and receiving encouragement and praise from teammates or coaches can all contribute to a positive self-image. Coupled with the sense of accomplishment following a good game or a personal improvement can be incredibly rewarding and boost one's confidence⁸. 

So, rally your team, find a local sport, sign up, and start to reap the benefits.