Photo: Wikimedia Commons

By Jordan Fuller

What makes people feel old is believing that their lives can no longer reach the enjoyment levels of their youth. Instead of continuing to stay in shape, we let ourselves fall into a rut that can lead to depression and other ailments that prevent us from loving our lives.

One of the best ways that we can revitalize our spirit is by finding a sport to participate in with others. Not only will it make you feel younger but you’ll certainly feel better if you add an activity to your daily routine.

Here are three surefire ways to improve your life and revitalize your desire to get the most out of your days through sports.

Keeping a Young Mentality

The goal of participating in a sport is to not only feel younger but think younger. Having a young mentality gives you a mindset that you can tackle anything that you put your mind to and accomplish.

When choosing a sport, it is great to choose an activity that you adored when you were younger. Perhaps you love being out on the course and hitting the golf ball around or maybe you loved volleying a tennis ball back and forth while having a conversation with a dear friend. If there is nostalgic feelings toward a sport, that’s a great place to start with finding the activity that engages you the most.

The last thing you want to do is get caught in your head. Less thinking and more playing is a great way to clear your mind and keep a positive attitude.

Keeping You Fit

Another key ingredient to revitalizing your dormant spirit is by improving your health and making a commitment to living a healthy lifestyle. Even if you are physically limited, you can find the right sport for you. Golf is the most popular sport for seniors and for good reason, because it is highly enjoyable, very social, and isn’t too hard on the body.

If you don’t feel comfortable in your ability to play a round of 18 holes, then there are plenty of other options such as bowling, pickleball, swimming, or even just putting some time aside for a long walk each day.

Daily activity wards off life-threatening ailments such as heart disease and certain types of cancers. These benefits are on top of how sports can assist in greater cardiovascular health. Participating in sports is also proven to improve high blood pressure, control your weight and reduce your chance of a stroke.

Socialization

One of the downsides of growing older is falling out of touch with many of the friends you had in your busier years. AARP states that 46% of adults 45-49 claim to be lonely. Sports are a wonderful antidote to those isolation blues.

Even if you are playing an individual sport such as golf, you are often paired with other individuals that can provide plenty of moments filled with conversation. Finding a group of like-minded individuals that share the same passions as you will help lift your daily moods and provide greater life satisfaction.

Integrating into a social circle is known to stabilize moods and ward off harmful mental ailments such as depression.
We only have one life to live so why sit back and let yourself feel the best days have passed you by? Make a change today and get involved with a sport. Your life will find a new purpose and you’ll feel better than ever.

Jordan Fuller is a golf writer who owns a publication site, Golf Influence. Fuller also mentors and coaches aspiring golfers who want to excel and improve their game. “My love for golf started when I was a kid,” Fuller said, and fortunately, because of this sport, I also met my wife.”