WEBVTT

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The victory of the underdog over
the favorite team.

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The last minute penalty shot
that wins the tournament.

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The high-energy training montages.

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Many people love to glorify victory
on the playing field,

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cheer for favorite teams,

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and play sports.

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But here's a question:
Should we be so obsessed with sports?

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Is playing sports actually as good for us
as we make it out to be,

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or just a fun and entertaining pastime?

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What does science have to say?

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First of all, it's well accepted that
exercise is good for our bodies and minds,

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and that's definitely true.

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Exercising, especially when we're young,
has all sorts of health benefits,

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like strengthening our bones,

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clearing out bad cholesterol
from our arteries,

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and decreasing the risk of stroke,
high blood pressure, and diabetes.

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Our brains also release a number
of chemicals when we workout,

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including endorphins.

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These natural hormones,

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which control pain and pleasure responses
in the cental nervous system,

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can lead to feelings of euphoria,
or what's often called a runner's high.

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Increased endorphins and consistent
physical activity in general

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can sharpen your focus,
and improve your mood and memory.

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So does that mean we get just as much
benefit going to the gym five days a week

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as we would joining a team and competing?

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Well, here's where it gets interesting,

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because it turns out that if you can find
a sport and a team you like,

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studies show that there are all sorts
of benefits

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that go beyond the physical
and mental benefits of exercise alone.

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Some of the most significant
are psychological benefits,

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both in the short and long term.

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Some of those come from the communal
experience of being on a team,

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for instance, learning to trust
and depend on others,

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to accept help,

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to give help,

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and to work together towards
a common goal.

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In addition, commitment to a team
and doing something fun

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can also make it easier to establish
a regular habit of exercise.

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School sport participation 
has also been shown

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to reduce the risk of suffering
from depression for up to four years.

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Meanwhile, your self-esteem and confidence
can get a big boost.

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There are few reasons for that.

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One is found in training.

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Just by working and working at skills,

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especially with a good coach,

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you reinforce a growth mindset 
within yourself.

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That's when you say, "Even if I can't
do something today,

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I can improve myself through practice
and achieve it eventually."

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That mindset is useful 
in all walks of life.

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And then there's learning through failure,

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one of the most transformative,
long-term benefits of playing sports.

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The experience of coming to terms
with defeat can build the resilience

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and self-awareness necessary 
to manage academic,

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social,

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and physical hurtles.

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So even if your team isn't winning
all the time, or at all,

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there's a real benefit to your experience.

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Now, not everyone will enjoy every sport.

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Perhaps one team is too competitive,

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or not competitive enough.

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It can also take time to find
a sport that plays to your strengths.

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That's completley okay.

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But if you spend some time looking,

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you'll be able to find a sport
that fits your individual needs,

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and if you do, there are so many benefits.

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You'll be a part of 
a supportive community,

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you'll be building your confidence,

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you'll be exercising you body,

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and you'll be nurturing your mind,

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not to mention having fun.