We all know that keeping active and exercising regularly is important to staying fit and well, but when you’re a busy parent it can be really hard to find the time to fit it all in.
One key factor in making sure you exercise regularly is to find something that you actually enjoy doing.
If you can’t stand running on a treadmill at the gym you’ll find it really hard to keep going every week. But if you find an activity you love and that makes you feel good, you’ll be far more likely to stick with it.
You might find that a particular class at the gym gets you fired up to workout. Or it could be that yoga suits you better.
One thing you might not have considered since you left school though, is team sports.
If you love watching the rugby at the weekends, can’t wait to check the football score and all the latest stats on your team, or have fond memories of hockey games at school, then joining a local sports team could be a great way for you to get active.
Here are 3 reasons why team sports can be a great way for busy parents to keep fit.
1. The accountability can help you commit
When you join a sports team you commit to attending regular practices and matches.
The whole point is that you’re part of a team, and will potentially be letting everyone else down if you just don’t show up.
So if you know you need a little extra incentive to actually get up and exercise, then this could really work for you.
You’ll also find that having teammates around to give you a boost and support you when you’re not really ‘feeling it’ can help you push through and get going.
2. You’ll make new friends
We all know how hard it can be to make new friends when you’re older. And being a parent can be really isolating at times if you don’t have many people in your life to lean on.
Joining a sports team can be a great way to meet new, like-minded people who may well become good friends.
Ben Kirk, PhD researcher in exercise and nutritional science at Liverpool Hope University has said, “Team sports allow you to make new friends – these psycho-social benefits can help sustain longevity and maximise quality of life.”
3. You’ll get fitter and happier
Training and exercising as part of a team can push you to really try your best and improve your stamina, strength, and cardio fitness over time.
Studies have also shown that athletes who are part of a team tend to be more satisfied with their lives.
The theory is that being part of a team gives us a real sense of belonging, and the social interactions we get from it gives us strong feelings of self-identity, which then helps boost our happiness.
Joining a team and playing a sport you enjoy can also help you handle stress better, boost your resilience, and improve your co-ordination and reaction times.
It might not be for everyone, but it could be the perfect way for you to keep fit if things like the gym or online fitness classes haven’t won you over yet.
What team sport did you enjoy most when you were younger? Do you still play in a team now?
