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How Sports Help In Reducing Stress

12. February 2018 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
The fast paced times we live in have almost made it normal to feel stressed. However, curbing stress and its ill effects is the need of the hour for maintaining a healthy mind and body. One great way of reducing stress, is to participate in sports. From academic stress to peer pressure, children might be bound by various stress factors. This is why it is extremely essential for kids to participate in sports to ensure their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Here’s how this works:

• Release Of Endorphins
Both group and solitary sports activities have been proven to stimulate the production of neurotransmitters called endorphins. These brain chemicals have been shown to give a high and instantly boost ones mood. This feeling is also referred to as “runner’s high”. High levels of endorphins are associated with a positive mood and decreased pain and stress.

• Better Mental Health
Regular exercise and participation in sports has immense physical and mental benefits. By reducing levels of stress, playing sports can help in warding off symptoms of depression and anxiety. People who participate in sports report having better sleep at night than those who don’t. Lack of sleep has been shown to exuberate levels of anxiety. Good quality sleep inevitably results into a general sense of well-being and less stress.

• Breaking The Negative Loop
Participation in sports forces a person to cut the loop of negative thoughts that lead to stress. Sports encourage a person to interact with others and step out of the mind for a while. Such a disconnection from stressful thoughts helps one move towards better thought patterns with the help of increased levels of the hormone oxytocin. Team sports are specially great for reducing stress. After an invigorating sports session, a person feels motivated, energized and ready to take on any problems that come their way with a fresh attitude.

• Increased Self-Worth
A low feeling of self-worth is directly proportional to the levels of stress. People with low self-esteem usually find themselves feeling stressed about the minutest of things. Surprisingly, low self-esteem has a strong connection with an inactive lifestyle. Being active in a sport of your choice will help in increasing self-confidence and foster a feeling of being worthwhile. When you feel nice about yourself from within you are ready to face daily challenges with a bright smile and brave attitude. A positive frame of mind will lead to you stressing less about mundane stuff.

• Prevents Stress Eating
Lack of physical activity inevitably leads to an increase in stress hormones in the body. Many people have a tendency to overeat or indulge in excessive sweet foods to get rid of stressful feelings. However, this only provides temporary relief. Engaging in a sports activity during leisure time helps in burning extra calories and building muscles. The release of good hormones as against the bad ones leads to making better food choices. So, it can be safely concluded that sports also help in maintaining weight and improving food habits that might deteriorate due to stress and a sedentary lifestyle.

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, offer a wide range of programs for kids from 6 to 18 years of age. To enroll your child at the club, call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

How Sports Help In Reducing Stress

12. February 2018 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
The fast paced times we live in have almost made it normal to feel stressed. However, curbing stress and its ill effects is the need of the hour for maintaining a healthy mind and body. One great way of reducing stress, is to participate in sports. From academic stress to peer pressure, children might be bound by various stress factors. This is why it is extremely essential for kids to participate in sports to ensure their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Here’s how this works:

• Release Of Endorphins
Both group and solitary sports activities have been proven to stimulate the production of neurotransmitters called endorphins. These brain chemicals have been shown to give a high and instantly boost ones mood. This feeling is also referred to as “runner’s high”. High levels of endorphins are associated with a positive mood and decreased pain and stress.

• Better Mental Health
Regular exercise and participation in sports has immense physical and mental benefits. By reducing levels of stress, playing sports can help in warding off symptoms of depression and anxiety. People who participate in sports report having better sleep at night than those who don’t. Lack of sleep has been shown to exuberate levels of anxiety. Good quality sleep inevitably results into a general sense of well-being and less stress.

• Breaking The Negative Loop
Participation in sports forces a person to cut the loop of negative thoughts that lead to stress. Sports encourage a person to interact with others and step out of the mind for a while. Such a disconnection from stressful thoughts helps one move towards better thought patterns with the help of increased levels of the hormone oxytocin. Team sports are specially great for reducing stress. After an invigorating sports session, a person feels motivated, energized and ready to take on any problems that come their way with a fresh attitude.

• Increased Self-Worth
A low feeling of self-worth is directly proportional to the levels of stress. People with low self-esteem usually find themselves feeling stressed about the minutest of things. Surprisingly, low self-esteem has a strong connection with an inactive lifestyle. Being active in a sport of your choice will help in increasing self-confidence and foster a feeling of being worthwhile. When you feel nice about yourself from within you are ready to face daily challenges with a bright smile and brave attitude. A positive frame of mind will lead to you stressing less about mundane stuff.

• Prevents Stress Eating
Lack of physical activity inevitably leads to an increase in stress hormones in the body. Many people have a tendency to overeat or indulge in excessive sweet foods to get rid of stressful feelings. However, this only provides temporary relief. Engaging in a sports activity during leisure time helps in burning extra calories and building muscles. The release of good hormones as against the bad ones leads to making better food choices. So, it can be safely concluded that sports also help in maintaining weight and improving food habits that might deteriorate due to stress and a sedentary lifestyle.

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, offer a wide range of programs for kids from 6 to 18 years of age. To enroll your child at the club, call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

Keeping Your Kids Active In Winter

7. December 2017 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Everything slows down in winters. Our little kids are no exception. All they want to do is coop up indoors and watch their favorite shows on television or play a thrilling video game. The question is, are there better things to do in winters? Yes. There are plenty of fun activities to keep your child active, healthy and happy in winters.

Here is a look at some -

Enroll Them In Clubs - The best way to keep your kids active and energetic is to enroll them in various clubs and activities. This not only provides children an opportunity to learn necessary skills but also keeps them busy and occupied with something that is purposeful. You can make your kids join any of the following programs-

  • Art and music classes
  • Character & leadership building programs
  • Sports, fitness & recreation clubs
  • Health & life skill workshops

Indoor Playgrounds - There’s no need to feel stuck indoors on a cold winter day. Indoor playgrounds are a life saver for both parents and kids. They have lots of interactive games and fun activities like:

  • Obstacle courses
  • Tunnel slides
  • Themed giant inflatables e.g. princess castle, batman, fire engine, etc.
  • Arcade games

Sweat Together - Have a fun workout session with your kids. You can check out an exercise video online. This way not only do you learn new fitness moves together, but are also instilling into your child a wonderful habit of exercising. You are teaching them a great way of utilizing their indoor time.

Ice Skating - Visit a local skating rink. It is a superb winter activity for working on your child’s balance and coordination. It also builds up a kid’s strength in addition to being a heart pumping workout.
You can even plan an ice skating party for your kids. There are various ice skating games for kids such as:

  • Four corners
  • Freeze skate
  • Gliders
  • Skate chain
  • Ice potato

Tobogganing – If you can, send your little one tobogganing on a nearby snow covered hill. It is great if there are a bunch of kids to have maximum fun. Every kid sliding down that snow-laden hill will have a beaming smile and a hearty laugh which can brighten any winter day!

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, offer a wide range of programs for kids up to 18 years of age. To enroll your child at the club, call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

How Can Leadership Programs Help A Kid

9. November 2017 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Each child has the potential of becoming a great leader provided he/she gets the right guidance at the right time. Leadership is an important life skill that not only helps children deal with their peers effectively but also helps them excel at the workplace as an adult. 

Characteristics Of A Good Leader That You Would Want To Incorporate In Your Child

  • Team Work - Ability to work along with the team towards achieving common goals.
  • Effective Communication Skills- A good communicator knows how to use words to encourage others and the way to criticize constructively.
  • Planning - Setting goals and making plans to achieve them.
  • Taking Risks – Leaders takes up challenge and confront their fears. They experiment, create and innovate by taking risks.
There are a variety of programs being offered by clubs and institutions that help to instill leadership skills in children. Here are some ways in which leadership programs can be helpful to kids:

  • Building Self-confidence - Leadership programs work towards helping children develop confidence in themselves. They are encouraged to participate in certain tasks and their efforts are duly appreciated. In addition to this, kids are taught to communicate confidently while expressing themselves. Engaging a child in something of their interest also boosts their confidence. 
  • Encouraging Teamwork - There is so much a child learns while working in a team. Listening to somebody else’s viewpoint, working towards a common objective, the art of taking both criticism and praise gracefully, being proactive in solving problems instead of panicking etc. are skills they can only learn in a team. Leadership programs encourage children to participate in teamwork activities that are based on their interest.
  • Decision Making – It is an important attribute of a good leader.  Leadership programs create opportunities for kids where they can learn how to take everyday decisions. This in turn makes them confident about their choices.
  • Follow Their Dreams - Every child has a dream hidden deep inside their heart. A very important step towards bringing out the leader within your child is to assist them in doing what they love. Such programs help the kids in realizing their strengths and also motivate them to follow their dreams. 
  • Dealing With Situations – An essential virtue of leaders is their ability to deal with situations. Leadership programs organize various activities and tasks which are specifically designed to make kids learn the tactics of handling particular situations.  
We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, offer a wide range of Leadership programs for kids up to 18 years of age. To enroll your child at the club, call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.