Watching Sports Can Be Good For You?

Are you a “sports junkie”? Did you watch the entire coverage of the British Open from beginning to end? If you answered YES to either of those questions . . . you’re a “sports junkie”. But your old buddy Kahuna has your back! Next time you get yelled at for watching too much sports on TV, just tell them “you’re trying to improve yourself.” And the best part? You have SCIENCE to back you up. According to a study, watching sports can be GOOD for you because it can boost your mental health. Here are three ways watching sports can help improve your mental health . . .

1. You get a dopamine hit (that’s the “feel-good” hormone).
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.