For More Exercise Enjoyment, Join the Team
We already know that exercise benefits your mental health, including reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety . But if you want a workout that makes you feel really great, you may need to join the team.
There is science behind this idea, but if you’ve ever worked with a group, it also makes sense. When I was preparing for a marathon with a group of trainers, I knew my buddies would be there every Saturday for the long run. We grumbled together in the most difficult moments, and then “liked” each other’s messages about it on Facebook. The next year I appeared, but life took my friends in a different direction. There was no one else in the group who would run at my pace and at the same time constantly appear. I tried for a while but ended up dropping out.
The team (or close-knit training group) is more than just excitement during training. When I played roller derby I had no problem going to the gym alone because I knew my teammates were counting on me. I also knew that they were doing the same thing for their days from practice, because we were all building this beautiful, irresistible machine together.
Plus, it’s just nice to be around people who care about the same things as you, whether it’s your soccer team or your pottery lesson. We’re just happier when we have friends. One study published earlier this year found that:
The difference in mental health burden between people who played popular (team) sports and those who did not exercise was about the same as the difference in mental health burden … between people with a difference in family income more than USA. $ 25,000.
It turns out that money can buy happiness. But a team or training group can give you the same benefit for much less.