Football has obvious physical health benefits. However, we rarely hear about the advantages of mental health. A new study has finally established a link between the beautiful game and mental health; the findings are promising.
Mental health encompasses many issues, many of which can be positively influenced by being a football team member. However, the study also discovered that playing boosts our social confidence and a sense of purpose.
Since the game’s inception, there has been anecdotal evidence of this phenomenon. Any grassroots player will tell you that the benefits extend far beyond what happens on the field. Being a part of something bigger than yourself and contributing to the community’s spirit are rewards beyond success. However, a recent study found strong evidence of a link between football and mental health.
Here’s how playing football can improve kids’ mental health.
Making New Friends And Feeling At Ease In Social Settings
Football allows young players to meet new people outside their usual social circles. It can also give more introverted and shy children the opportunity to feel more at ease in social situations.
Being a football team member requires players to learn to work together and care for one another on and off the field. It can increase players’ empathy for one another while also improving their self-esteem because they know they can rely on their teammates, which is important in life off the field.
Increased Physical Fitness = Increased Mental Fitness
Regular physical activity has improved many aspects of people’s mental health. Staying active releases endorphins in your brain, which make you feel good, relieve stress, improve concentration, and even help you sleep better.
Being active outside has also been shown to positively impact our mental health, with research indicating that being in nature can make us feel happier. So playing football outside is the ideal way to ensure you get this weekly fix to improve your mood.
Boosts Self-Confidence
Having confidence as a young player is critical for their mental health, and playing football in a team environment is an excellent way to develop that confidence.
Seeing football progress can help boost confidence; even if it’s as simple as learning/improving a new skill, it can help players feel better about themselves.
Emotional Control
Football matches, and sometimes even training sessions, can be emotional rollercoasters, and as time passes and players gain more experience on the field, they will learn to better control certain emotions.
For example, when players have poor performances or losses, they should learn how to recover from defeat rather than dwell on it; this can be carried over into everyday life as players will learn how to deal with more negative emotions to some extent.
Coaches’ Motivation And Encouragement
A good coach will create a positive and inclusive environment for players to enjoy the game and express themselves on and off the field. Coaches can accomplish this by motivating and encouraging their players to focus on becoming better football players. It can also permeate their daily lives and motivate them to become better versions of themselves.
As a result of this motivation, seeing the physical rewards in football, such as goals, assists, and winning games, will lead to the belief that they can achieve other things outside of football, which is great for mental well-being.
Bottom Line!
So, with these mental health benefits of football, make time to get out there and play football! These benefits contribute to players’ resilience because they know not to fear failure and setbacks but understand that they can learn from them.
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CHOOSE M HUSSEIN FOOTBALL ACADEMY
Mhussein Football Academy in Milton Keynes is here to help young players develop football skills and have a wonderful football experience. We offer 1 on 1 or group-based football training sessions for aspiring young football players. We aim to serve the youth to become their generation’s best and most skilled football players.
Our services aim to help kids develop their football skills, regardless of whether they are beginners or want to enhance their skills as football players. We also offer a training experience tailored to all participants and their needs. With proper training and process, we will help you become your idol’s rival in the future. Learn more about us here.