Back in the days, parents found it hard to keep children indoors. More kids were more interested in staying under the sun than helping around the house. These days, it's the other way around. With all the technology thrown around, parents are now having a hard time encouraging their kids to engage in sports and other outdoor activities.
As fun as gadgets may be, they can't offer most of the benefits that sports have to offer. You may not like for fear of your child getting hurt while playing. While it is true that this is a possibility and that some injuries will require the specialty of an orthopedic surgeon in Highland, there are more reasons to let your child try out a sport or two. The following are just some of the awesome benefits children can get from playing sports:
Enhance health
Most sports involve physical activity. Some will make your heart pump faster and your lungs work overtime. This is actually a good thing as staying active is one way to be healthier. While not everyone is fond o exercising, you can encourage your child to stay active and fit without them knowing it. Since they will have fun in the sun, they won't even notice that they are already getting their daily dose of exercise.
Reduce stress
You may think that your children are happy kids, but in reality, they can be stressed and depressed without you knowing it. Their stress can be caused by family problems, peer pressure, or even school problems. One good way to relieve stress is by playing sports. By taking their mind off the things that put unnecessary stress on them, you can take care of their mental health. Keep their negative thoughts and feelings at bay with the help of physical activity.
Increase happiness
One cannot deny the fact that physical activity helps your body release happy hormones. If you think that your son or daughter is often unhappy, angry, or even depressed, encourage them to play a sport that will have them moving. As your child engages in physical activity, their body releases endorphins. These hormones trigger a euphoric feeling, instantly lifting their mood and boosting their happiness.
Develop social skills
Is your child the shy type? Are they finding it hard to make friends or even socialize with others? Encouraging them to play sports gives them the chance to develop social skills. Being part of a team helps them learn how to communicate, lead, follow, support, and work with other players. They can meet new friends and learn how to interact with people within and outside their age range.
Boost self-confidence
Letting your child experience different sports allows them to improve their self-esteem. This is especially true once they find a sport that they love and are good at. Since being out on the field allows them to be themselves without judgment, they can be creative and explore things until they find something that they can be passionate about. Setting new records and making improvements are good ways to help them improve their confidence.
If this is the same dilemma you're in, know that you're not alone. Many parents like you struggle to limit their children's screen time. By motivating your kid to play sports, they'll get the exercise they need, learn new things, and care for their health in more ways than one. All these benefits can help keep them healthy and achieve success in the future.
