How Sports & Exercise Combat Depression: Benefits & Impact
Participation in sports or exercise helps reduce levels of depression in both adults and kids. Involvement and participation in both sports and endurance training helps depression on both a physiological and psychological level-
Function
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Participation in sports helps raise the levels of serotonin in the blood, according to EarthTimes.org. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that gives humans a feeling of safety and well-being.
Considerations
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Involvement in sports that involve teams also allow people feel less alone, fulfilling a societal need. In a 1998 study on Icelandic youth, adolescents who participated in team sports were less depressed and more likely to take part in social activities, according to bNet.
Potential
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Even sports that are not traditionally considered sports can help levels of depression. According to a 2010, adults who played Wii sports games also felt significantly better and suffered less from depression.
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