You could say I am biased because this is how I grew up, but I honestly believe there are extreme benefits to growing up an athlete. First off, a kid who is continually involved in one sport or the other, is constantly getting his / her daily dose of exercise. For most parents, this is very important. Children have built up energy day to day that is effectively expelled during athletics. With this, they are exercising appropriately and staying healthy. These kids who actively participate in sports year round, stay relatively fit which benefits their overall health. For someone who is growing, this is fundamentally important to start building a healthy lifestyle.
Another reason I found growing up with sports always on my schedule, was that it was a source of stress relief and level of commitment. I found sports to be inclusive to all people and the feeling of being part of a team was extraordinary. Not only did you sometimes have your best friends on the team, but in the middle of a game or event, teammates sometimes understood you more than anyone else. They could predict your moves or simply know how you operate in a given instance. Scenarios like those bring on trust among teammates and an unspoken dedication to do your very best every event / game. Teammates are supposed to be supportive and when you have a team with such a connection, success is almost always found. Whether it be small successes, such as scoring one goal collectively or winning a state championship, success feels good.
Also, growing up, you are shaped by your surroundings and how you are taught to deal with stress and the changes in your body. Well, I would argue that having an outlet such as sports, which most of the time is a remaining constant in one’s life, one can seek stress relief and a better attitude by engaging in sporting activities. Not only does it do good things inside your body, but it helps to regulate your mood and can lead to a better you overall. Maybe it was only my experience, but there is something to be said about the feeling of belonging, purpose and commitment that comes along with being an athlete.
I no longer am involved in sports, but I have taken away very important lessons from it. Like most people would say, team work builds skills that you use later in life. They are right! In all areas of school, work and friendship, team work is highly beneficial. But also, as I become an adult, I understand the work ethic that I have gained. I know that staying fit can be hard and that sometimes I hate to exercise, but it is necessary in order to lead a healthy life. Working out is sometimes uncomfortable, yet afterwards, you feel relieved and you are rewarded with that sense of accomplishment. The list could go on and on as to why exercise is important, but I believe that to properly understand this, you must have grown up with it. It had to have made an impact on you and you have reaped some of it’s benefits. Athletics can help kids guide their lives in amazing directions and build their character. That is why if I could go back in time and experience childhood again, I would not choose any other lifestyle.
No matter what you play growing up, every kid should be allowed to see how sports can benefit them and hopefully be molded into an athlete they can be proud of.
