International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is an annual event that is celebrated on the 6th of April every year with the intention to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and the positive impact of sports in people’s daily lives. It was launched in 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly with the support of the International Olympic Committee. Sports hold immense potential to bring positive change in the world. It can help build strong and healthy individuals who will, in turn, build strong social connections and be respectful of each other. Sports can be the perfect medium to bring about sustainable development.
On this special day dedicated to appreciating the importance of sporting activities in our life, let us take a quick look at some of the benefits of this wonderful medium.
Benefits of Sports
Sports or engagement in physical activities is vital for people of all ages. But when sports-related curricula are promoted amongst children, especially students, their positive effects can go above and beyond the physical merits.
1. Promotes Good Health
It is a known fact that sports and good health are directly proportional. Daily physical activities make your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones strong. Exercise helps build physical endurance and burns calories in the blink of an eye. This keeps you safe from the risk of obesity and other related health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart issues. Sports and exercise can help regulate your glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity, and also make your heart stronger, thus preventing you from high blood sugar and hypertension. Research has revealed that sports can also prevent cancer development.
2. Fosters Teamwork
In sports, teamwork plays a big part, especially when you engage in activities such as cricket, basketball, football, and hockey. You will constantly need to team up with your mates, keeping your ego and differences aside to ensure success for your team as a whole. Teamwork capability is a skill that will become an asset to your personality development not only for sports but for other dimensions of your life – be it education or professional success. This is a skill which hiring managers are constantly on the lookout for.
3. Instils Leadership Qualities
Closely linked with teamwork are leadership skills. Sports teach you how to become a good leader and how to inspire others. It also helps to identify the hidden qualities in your players and bring them out for the success of the team. This is a skill that will again come in handy later on in your life whether you become a professional sportsman, world leader, advocate, politician, or CEO of a big company.
4. Boosts Confidence
Playing a sport will improve your form, physical endurance, and tenacity for undergoing pressure every day. As you notice your body and physical capabilities becoming stronger day by day, you will feel motivated in every aspect of your life. Sports can play a huge factor in healthy and holistic personality development.
5. Teaches You Discipline
Playing sports teaches you the art of self-discipline. An athlete has to learn how to overcome minor problems of idleness and fatigue and must train his/her mind and body to show up at the same time every day to focus on strengthening their bodies. Sometimes, you may feel low and some days you may feel tired but it is even on these days that you must train in whatever way you can because you are committed to positive improvement in your life. So, sports teach you how to be disciplined and how not to take your health for granted.
6. Fires Your Brain Power
If you struggle with fluctuating concentration levels, sports can help you overcome your shortcomings and become a more focused and efficient person. Experts believe that those who regularly engage in sporting or physical activities are better equipped to filter out the noise and focus on the important aspects of life. Engagement in sports also helps you to become a more intelligent student, a more knowledgeable academician, and a more productive employee at the end of the day.
7. Safeguards Your Mental Health
Playing sports or working out every day helps you manage your emotions better. It wards off negative feelings and thoughts and promotes positive and healthy mental well-being in order to ensure a good performance in your game. When you are active, the brain releases chemicals such as endorphins which make you feel optimistic, empowered, and less prone to depression, stress, and anxiety. You will learn to forge healthy ties with those around you. Also, you will learn to get better at anger management and people will be charmed by your positive and infectious personality no matter where you go.
8. Gives a Kick to Your Energy Levels
Training early in the morning can make a world of difference to your energy levels which can fluctuate from time to time. Life can get overwhelming and you might feel exhausted but making your body move will boost your energy levels and make you more productive. A day that starts with quality training will end with you accomplishing more tasks with greater focus.
Ways to Stay Active
You do not need to be a professional sportsperson or an international athlete to explore the benefits of a healthy lifestyle mentioned above. You can implement small changes in your daily routine to reap all these benefits and more. Here are some ways you can incorporate sporting activities into your daily life:
1. Biking/cycling
2. Swimming
3. Running
4. Badminton/tennis
5. Volleyball
6. Hiking
7. Strength training
How to Eat Like an Athlete Every Day?
Another very important aspect of being healthy that keeps you safe from lifestyle diseases is mastering the art of a quality diet. This does not mean depriving yourself of food but focusing on portion control, eating nutrient-enriched dishes, treating yourself to your favourite food such as chocolates, cakes, ice cream, pizzas, and burgers once in a while and nurturing healthy habits to get more out of your training and your daily life. To build a healthy diet, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Consume a high-powered protein-based breakfast
- Always stay hydrated, aim to drink 2-3 litres of water daily
- Stay away from sugary, fried and processed junk food
- Iron deficiency will make you feel exhausted easily. Include dark leafy green veggies and iron-fortified cereals
- Plan your meals a day or two ahead to avoid the urge to gravitate towards processed and junk food as a quick fix due to lack of time
- Focus on portion control when it comes to carbohydrates
- Incorporate health supplements to meet all your nutritional requirements daily
Conclusion
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, Engagement with sports will take you towards a more sustainable and peaceful lifestyle which will ultimately impact your surroundings and environment. Thus, sports can truly help in sustainable development and peace by creating strong and resolute individuals in the world as a whole. This International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, work towards establishing an active lifestyle and encourage others to do the same.
