We all need a break and an escape from the things that
keep us occupied – and physical activities are a safe, cost-efficient and
highly effective way to stay mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy. While you may be focused on exercising
your mind in the classroom, one of the best ways to keep those creative and
strategic brain cells fully engaged is to run, swim, lift, or join a fitness
class or even better yet, some sort of club or intramural sport. All
of our minds need exercise. It’s why we had recess as kids to force us to get
out of the classroom.
For a long time, sports have been
viewed as a way to stay healthy and in shape, but what is not known is that, their
importance goes much further. As a matter of fact, playing sports also teaches
life lessons like discipline, responsibility, self-confidence, accountability,
and teamwork.
In a bid to arrest/curb the drug and alcohol abuse which is now a cause
for concern globally, Midlands State University students have engaged into
recreational activities like sports. “Engaging in sporting activities increases
blood flow to the brain and helps the body build more connections between
nerves, leading to increased concentration, enhanced memory, stimulated
creativity, and better-developed problem-solving skills. In short, playing
sports helps your brain grow and makes it work better. It also helps students
not to engage in drugs and alcohol,” said student coach Mufaro Jele in an
interview yesterday.
“We recently introduced a student-affiliated sports league called the Department
League where students from different departments will be competing with each
other. It is a competition which is meant to benefit students both physically
and mentally. The League is usually played during weekends when all students
are disengaged from their usual busy academic schedules,” he added.
In an interview with one student who plays football, Tanaka Madochi, who
plays for the Media department said, “From a social standpoint, sports are a
powerful tool that brings people together and creates a sense of community.
They develop connections that bond together people from all walks of life. As a
student playing soccer, it was the fastest and easiest way to make friends.”
Diligent Marume, a student who plays handball said that being involved
in sports helped her a lot in facing her fears. “As an undergraduate student
who majored in mechanical engineering, I had very challenging classes and
occasionally had to deal with bad assignments or midterm grades and my ego took
a bad hit whenever that happened. I believe that playing sports taught me how
to deal with failure and disappointment in life. I learned that I am not always
going to get the results that I want, but no matter what, I have to persevere
and not give up. Sports gave me a positive attitude where I see falling as a
way to learn how to pick myself up,” she narrated.
Sporting is a great way to get out of the stressful university life that
is all about homework, presentations, and group projects. In fact, playing
sports helps students relax and reduce their anxiety.
“I personally think that I would go crazy without going to the gym at
least three times a week. Health care professionals recommend physical activity
as a key ingredient to any stress-management activity. Sports also help us
students not to succumb to the pressures of life which leads to drugs and
alcohol abuse,” added Diligent.
Playing college sports have benefits. Besides just being fun, sports can
help you perform better in school, relax more and worry less, deal with
setbacks, work better with others and increase your energy — all of which helps
you balance school and everything else going on in your life.
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