You Should Play On an Adult Sports Team
Yes, Even if You Think You're Not Very Good
You love watching professional football every Sunday. Maybe you grab a lawn chair and sit on the sidelines as your kid plays baseball in a Little League. Everyone else is having fun on the field and courts, so why shouldn’t you also get in on the action?
Even if you don’t have an athletic bone in your body, it can be incredibly rewarding to participate in an adult sports league. Most community centers offer programs for you to sign up, either with a team or as a free agent.
Softball, basketball, volleyball, racquetball, bowling…there are leagues for any sport you can imagine. You may not get a trophy at the end of the season, but you’ll get plenty of value out of the experience!
Be Part of a Community
One of the best parts of playing on an adult sports team is all the fabulous new people you’ll meet. You may know some of your teammates, but they’ll recruit others. There will also be some rival teams that have a few friendly faces. It’s a great chance for you to make new friends, or if you’re single, meet a potential new love interest!
Pew Research Center looked into the fascinating state of adult friendships in the United States. According to their research, 8% of American adults claim to have no close friends, yet 61% say having some is important to living a fulfilling life.
Playing on a sports team is your chance to cultivate those friendships. As long as you practice good sportsmanship and humility, you’ll forge bonds that transfer off the field or court into your everyday life.
Build Endurance and Strength
If the social factor isn’t motivation enough, consider the exercise you will get from participating in an adult sports league. Swinging a bat, bumping a volleyball, backhanding a tennis ball, shooting a three-pointer…these are all fantastic ways to tone your arms.
Sports also require endurance. Put in 110%, and you’ll be sweating by the end of the game. You’ll get a bunch of steps without even realizing you’re doing it, not to mention an increased heart rate.
There are also many mental health benefits to playing sports. You may feel less stress, better focus, mental fortitude, and an overall boost in your self-esteem. Overall, playing a sport is definitely not a bad way for you to spend your time and energy!
Learn to Persevere
Playing a sport is a lot of trial and error. Take softball for example. You will continuously adjust your batter’s stance and swing until you find one that works for you. Every strikeout is a learning opportunity for you. It takes grit to bounce back and try again.
Sports teach you the value of preserving until you accomplish a goal. That sense of resilience will carry over into all other aspects of your life. After all, if you’re good enough to dig the spike of a powerhouse in a co-ed volleyball league, there’s no limits to what you can do!
Get Out of the House
Have you been stuck in a rut? It may be time for you to try something new and break the monotony of your daily routine! Adult sports gives you a place to be every week. It’s a little “me” time where you’re not carpooling the kids, cooking dinner, or folding laundry. You’re showing how strong and capable you are by playing a sport.
Invite your family and friends to cheer you on from the sidelines. As time allows, you can also go out after the game with your team for drinks or appetizers. Make this time yours to enjoy!
Which sports do you play? What do you want to try? I’d love to hear from all you MVPs!
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