0:00:06.989,0:00:10.157
The victory of the underdog over[br]the favorite team.

0:00:10.157,0:00:13.490
The last minute penalty shot[br]that wins the tournament.

0:00:13.490,0:00:16.334
The high-energy training montages.

0:00:16.334,0:00:19.749
Many people love to glorify victory[br]on the playing field,

0:00:19.749,0:00:21.118
cheer for favorite teams,

0:00:21.118,0:00:22.771
and play sports.

0:00:22.771,0:00:26.903
But here's a question:[br]Should we be so obsessed with sports?

0:00:26.903,0:00:30.495
Is playing sports actually as good for us[br]as we make it out to be,

0:00:30.495,0:00:33.834
or just a fun and entertaining pastime?

0:00:33.834,0:00:36.464
What does science have to say?

0:00:36.464,0:00:40.561
First of all, it's well accepted that[br]exercise is good for our bodies and minds,

0:00:40.561,0:00:42.427
and that's definitely true.

0:00:42.427,0:00:46.522
Exercising, especially when we're young,[br]has all sorts of health benefits,

0:00:46.522,0:00:48.150
like strengthening our bones,

0:00:48.150,0:00:50.997
clearing out bad cholesterol[br]from our arteries,

0:00:50.997,0:00:55.772
and decreasing the risk of stroke,[br]high blood pressure, and diabetes.

0:00:55.772,0:00:58.868
Our brains also release a number[br]of chemicals when we workout,

0:00:58.868,0:01:00.928
including endorphins.

0:01:00.928,0:01:02.149
These natural hormones,

0:01:02.149,0:01:05.903
which control pain and pleasure responses[br]in the cental nervous system,

0:01:05.903,0:01:10.771
can lead to feelings of euphoria,[br]or what's often called a runner's high.

0:01:10.771,0:01:14.180
Increased endorphins and consistent[br]physical activity in general

0:01:14.180,0:01:18.240
can sharpen your focus,[br]and improve your mood and memory.

0:01:18.240,0:01:22.047
So does that mean we get just as much[br]benefit going to the gym five days a week

0:01:22.047,0:01:24.812
as we would joining a team and competing?

0:01:24.812,0:01:27.710
Well, here's where it gets interesting,

0:01:27.710,0:01:32.000
because it turns out that if you can find[br]a sport and a team you like,

0:01:32.000,0:01:34.371
studies show that there are all sorts[br]of benefits

0:01:34.371,0:01:38.639
that go beyond the physical[br]and mental benefits of exercise alone.

0:01:38.639,0:01:41.680
Some of the most significant[br]are psychological benefits,

0:01:41.680,0:01:44.085
both in the short and long term.

0:01:44.085,0:01:47.900
Some of those come from the communal[br]experience of being on a team,

0:01:47.900,0:01:51.555
for instance, learning to trust[br]and depend on others,

0:01:51.555,0:01:53.118
to accept help,

0:01:53.118,0:01:54.242
to give help,

0:01:54.242,0:01:56.804
and to work together towards[br]a common goal.

0:01:56.804,0:02:00.242
In addition, commitment to a team[br]and doing something fun

0:02:00.242,0:02:04.587
can also make it easier to establish[br]a regular habit of exercise.

0:02:04.587,0:02:07.620
School sport participation [br]has also been shown

0:02:07.620,0:02:11.964
to reduce the risk of suffering[br]from depression for up to four years.

0:02:11.964,0:02:16.210
Meanwhile, your self-esteem and confidence[br]can get a big boost.

0:02:16.210,0:02:17.846
There are few reasons for that.

0:02:17.846,0:02:19.489
One is found in training.

0:02:19.489,0:02:22.379
Just by working and working at skills,

0:02:22.379,0:02:24.130
especially with a good coach,

0:02:24.130,0:02:27.592
you reinforce a growth mindset [br]within yourself.

0:02:27.592,0:02:30.492
That's when you say, "Even if I can't[br]do something today,

0:02:30.492,0:02:34.903
I can improve myself through practice[br]and achieve it eventually."

0:02:34.903,0:02:38.252
That mindset is useful [br]in all walks of life.

0:02:38.252,0:02:40.336
And then there's learning through failure,

0:02:40.336,0:02:44.926
one of the most transformative,[br]long-term benefits of playing sports.

0:02:44.926,0:02:48.402
The experience of coming to terms[br]with defeat can build the resilience

0:02:48.402,0:02:51.217
and self-awareness necessary [br]to manage academic,

0:02:51.217,0:02:52.256
social,

0:02:52.256,0:02:53.780
and physical hurtles.

0:02:53.780,0:02:56.575
So even if your team isn't winning[br]all the time, or at all,

0:02:56.575,0:02:59.125
there's a real benefit to your experience.

0:02:59.125,0:03:01.934
Now, not everyone will enjoy every sport.

0:03:01.934,0:03:04.240
Perhaps one team is too competitive,

0:03:04.240,0:03:06.256
or not competitive enough.

0:03:06.256,0:03:09.430
It can also take time to find[br]a sport that plays to your strengths.

0:03:09.430,0:03:11.449
That's completley okay.

0:03:11.449,0:03:13.120
But if you spend some time looking,

0:03:13.120,0:03:17.068
you'll be able to find a sport[br]that fits your individual needs,

0:03:17.068,0:03:20.000
and if you do, there are so many benefits.

0:03:20.000,0:03:22.409
You'll be a part of [br]a supportive community,

0:03:22.409,0:03:24.129
you'll be building your confidence,

0:03:24.129,0:03:26.026
you'll be exercising you body,

0:03:26.026,0:03:27.962
and you'll be nurturing your mind,

0:03:27.962,0:03:30.183
not to mention having fun.