Golf’s Open Championship gets started today, MLB’s second half starts tomorrow, and the WNBA All-Star Game is Saturday. So, lots of sports on TV, and don’t feel guilty about watching.
“The Huffington Post” did a story on how watching sports can be GOOD for you. Here are three ways it can boost your mental health.
1. You get a dopamine hit. That’s the “feel-good” hormone. “The brain’s reward pathway is activated, leading to increased levels of dopamine, endorphins, [and] serotonin.”
2. It instills a feeling of community. Especially if you’re watching with other people. But even if you’re alone on the couch, it makes you feel like you’re part of something.
3. It’s a healthy distraction. As one expert put it, sports can “help distract us and offer an outlet from other daily stressors at work or home.”
So, the next time you’re screaming at a ref through the TV, pat yourself on the back for prioritizing your mental health.
