The Health Benefits of Being a Sports Fan

It’s getting to be that time of year again… In just a couple short weeks your Sundays will be packed full with food, friends and football! But being a sports fan isn’t just all fun and games, it’s good for you too!

Here are just 3 ways being a sports fan keeps us healthy and at our best!

Get Active!

It’s no secret that professional athletes are in top shape. (Have you seen Maria Sharapova’s legs?) But did you know that watching the pros do their thing can also be motivation to get you up and moving? After watching the Olympic triathletes, didn’t you feel inspired to swim, ride and run right along with them? It’s true. Watching professional athletes at the top of their game motivates us to pump up our workout routines and get to the top of ours as well.

Watching Sports: A Sport in Itself

Even if watching your favorite team duke it out doesn’t motivate you to hit the gym, it can still help you shed some calories. Think about any given trip to your local sports stadium or arena. Any large venue requires walking up and down countless flights of stairs to your seat. Standing and socializing is also a relaxed, low-impact means to shed some cals.

Can’t make it to the live show? Not a problem. You can burn a few extra calories just by tuning in from your living room! Your heart rate will accelerate at those tense moments and you’ll jump, cheer and clap during the highlights — all without even trying!

You just have to make sure you aren’t eating all those calories back with salty pretzels, goopy nachos or greasy pizza. If you need to nibble, opt for a nutritious trail mix instead. Light beer is also a better option (in moderate amounts, of course).

Relationship-Building

Being a sports fan is all about coming together as a community. Bonding over the highs and lows of a game helps us to build connections and strengthens our relationships. Not to mention it’s a whole lot of fun!

What do you love most about being a sports fan?