Researchers have proven that people can reduce their stress levels by participating in sports. Luckily for us, there are plenty of good sports out there to choose from that each require a different set of skills and capabilities. If you find that you do not enjoy cardio workouts, such as running or swimming, you could always turn to a sport that is designed to improve your flexibility, like yoga.
Whatever sport you choose, it is very important that you enjoy and look forward to your workouts. When you have fun with your training, you will truly begin to feel the de-stressing effects that it can have on your mind and body. If you are having trouble deciding on a sport, you have come to the right place. Below, we will be discussing these ten sports that are preferred by anxious people.
- Boxing
- Running
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Yoga
- Cycling
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
- Weightlifting
- Pilates
- Team Sports
Boxing
If you often find yourself feeling frustrated or angry, boxing may just be the perfect stress reliever for you. This high-intensity sport is incredibly effective when it comes to relaxing the mind and body.
The great thing about boxing is that you can simply purchase yourself a good pair of gloves and hit your local gym – you do not need to actually step into the ring with someone in order to have a decent workout. When it’s just you and that punching bag, you may even begin to forget about your problems and worries.
However, if you do not think that you would enjoy beating up a bag, there are various other types and levels of boxing that could be more up your alley. For example, fitness level boxing focuses more on the cardio aspect of the sport than anything else. You could also even hire a personal trainer to help you on your boxing journey.
Team Sports
As we have already mentioned, making new friends and developing your social life can be a great way to relieve stress. For this reason, part-taking in a team sport may just be the perfect way for you to improve your mental state of mind.
There are various team sports for you to consider, including hockey, football, cricket, baseball, basketball, and water polo. Whatever you choose, make sure that you do your best to get to know everybody on the team. More so, do not slack when it comes to the training, as this could lead to strained relationships between you and your teammates.
Running
Running is one of the most popular sports in the world and for good reason. There is something so appealing about it just being your and the open road.
More so, this sport is arguably the best for anybody who struggles with anxiety or stress, as it can drastically improve your blood circulation. It also stimulates the release of ‘happy hormones’ (otherwise known as endorphins), which improves your mood and raises your energy levels.
Many people sleep much better at night after going for a good run. This is due to the fact that the body is much more tired, making it much easier to shut off. As we all know, one of the biggest causes of stress and anxiety is a lack of proper sleep – for this reason, running can help improve your mental state in a number of ways. On top of this, it will also lead to you being much healthier and fitter.
Swimming
Swimming is an underappreciated sport. Like running, it is a cardiovascular exercise, meaning that it helps improve blood circulation and leads to the release of endorphins. More than this, you will train your entire body while swimming, meaning that it is an incredibly effective sport when it comes to health and fitness.
Countless people love being in the water because it loosens up their mind and body. For this reason, swimming can be an enjoyable and beneficial form of exercise when it comes to stress relief. Not only will this sport make you tired and allow you to sleep better at night, but it can also be very calming.
When you have your head submerged under the water, it is almost as if you are blocking out the world and everything that is causing you to worry. This can leave you feeling much calmer and more relaxed, drastically reducing your stress levels.
Pilates
If you are struggling with stress and anxiety, pilates may just be the perfect sport for you. This form of exercise has proven to build strength, restore proper alignment, improve flexibility and contribute to a better overall mental state of mind.
Pilates is a very mindful form of exercise. Unlike cardio workouts, you will have to focus on your body and state of mind while performing the poses. This helps increase your state of awareness, a skill that can be extremely handy in day-to-day life.
Dancing
One of the best ways in which you can reduce your stress levels is by expressing yourself. For example, when you are frustrated with somebody, you will always feel better after confronting them and speaking it out. For this same reason, dancing is an incredibly effective sport when it comes to relaxing the mind and bettering your mood.
Dance is all about expression. If you are feeling stressed, turning on an upbeat song and simply moving your body to the beat is a great way to forget your problems. If you would like to take the more conventional approach, you could also join a dance club or sign up for a few lessons.
This way, you are more than likely to meet some new people with similar interests to you, making it even better for stress relief. On top of this, this cardiovascular sport improves your blood circulation, stimulates the release of endorphins, and will help you sleep better at night.
Yoga
Yoga is one of the most calming sports in the world, making it perfect for stress relief and anxiety. In fact, it is known to benefit three very important aspects: our mind, body, and breathing. When you twist your body in a particular pose, you will be relieving tension from specific muscles. For this reason, you will come out of that pose feeling much looser and more relaxed.
It is recommended that you do not wait until you are stressed to do yoga. In fact, simply completing a ten-minute routine every single day can have a massive effect on your mind and body. If you are a beginner, do not start by trying the most complicated poses out there, as you will end up feeling demotivated and may even give up on the sport before you begin to feel its benefits.
Cycling
If you have ever taken your bike out for a spin on the open road, you would know just how stimulating it can be. There is something so freeing about feeling the wind on your face as you explore an area. For this exact reason, cycling is a great option for anybody who struggles with anxiety or stress.
Cycling is a cardiovascular sport, meaning that it will improve your blood circulation and leave you feeling much more energized after a workout. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, physically enhancing your mood and mental well-being.
However, on top of this, going for a bike ride every so often is a great way to get out of the house and simply explore. After all, there is nothing better than being outdoors, breathing in some fresh air, and taking in nature.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is suitable for anybody who doesn’t have too much free time on their hands. This type of workout can include various exercises, such as burpees, mountain climbers, and push-ups. You could even change up your training routine every day if you would like a little variation.
One of the best things about this type of training is the fact that the workout doesn’t need to be much longer than 20 minutes. Since the exercises that you are doing are so strenuous, you will not need to hit the gym every day of the week for hours on end.
In other words, your mind and body will benefit from just a few minutes of training per day. More so, this type of sport drastically improves your fitness, leaving you healthier, happier, and less stressed.
Weightlifting
Weightlifting can drastically improve your mental and physical well-being. This sport has a social aspect to it, meaning that you are likely to make a few gym friends along the way. However, on top of this, it will leave you feeling extremely accomplished.
Weightlifting helps regulate certain hormones, such as serotonin. In the end, this can drastically improve your mood and leave you feeling more relaxed. More so, the sport will work wonders for your physical health, improving your fitness and overall strength.
Summary
There are various sports that can have a massive effect on improving your mental state of mind and reducing stress. More so, exercise will improve your physical health, leaving you happier and fitter.
You could also part-take in team sports, such as hockey and football, in order to meet new people and make friends.
