Let’s get into the Olympic spirit and do sport!

So, the Rio Olympics have finally begun! Can you believe it was 4 years ago since the London Olympics?!

There are 42 different sports being carried out over the next few weeks and seeing as it is the summer holidays, wouldn’t it be a good opportunity to take up a sport this summer?

Sport not only benefits your body but also your mind and spirit. Some of the benefits are: 

• You are fitter and stronger
• Your body detoxes through sweating
• You are more agile and limber 
• Your skin improves and looks more radiant
• You have more energy
• You become more disciplined
• Your reactions quicken
• You gain direction and have a focus
• Your confidence boosts as you improve
• Your mind sharpens and your concentration skills increase
• You meet new people and your social life improves
• Your drive and ambition increases
• Your sense of wellbeing skyrockets!

These are only a handful of benefits! I have experienced all of the above through running 3 or 4 times a week and carrying out gym classes. Running also acts as a brilliant stress reliever for those odd days where I just need to burn off some steam! If you are interested in running then here’s one of my blog articles to get you started. 

For those that need more inspiration, here is a list of most of the Olympic sports:

• Archery
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Beach Volleyball
• Boxing
• Canoe/Kayak
• Cycling
• Diving
• Equestrian
• Fencing
• Field Hockey
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Handball
• Judo
• Modern Pentathlon
• Rhythmic Gymnastics
• Rowing
• Rugby
• Sailing
• Shooting
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Synchronized Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Taekwondo
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Trampoline
• Triathlon
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling

It may be that you already carry out one or even a few of these sports but if not, visit the KentSport.org website. Here you can search for sports activities local to you so you don’t have to travel miles to participate. On the website, they have more than the 42 Olympic sports available so there’s no excuse. 

Let us know how you get on with taking up a sport and good luck!

Read our other article, 10 ways to get outside and get sporty this summer.

Sources:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/full-schedule

http://www.unlimitedchoice.org/blog/health/why-taking-up-a-sport-could-be-the-best-thing-you-ever-do/ 

http://www.kentsport.org/about-us/