Isabel Gaspar Pereira, Growth Manager and Matilde Espregueira, trainee
All of us, as human beings, wish to have a healthy life. Well, having a healthy life is the key to all happiness. Without doubt, one of the best ways to achieve physical and mental well-being is through sport. And that is why sport is so important in our lives. It can also make our lives full of fulfilment and success.
Here at BOAVISTA we encourage the regular practice of sport, both as a hobby and in competition, and several members of our team do it in a committed way: from the Director of Operations who competes in the senior tennis championship to the CEO who is a former national rugby selector, we take sport very seriously.
10 benefits of doing sport:
Healthy Heart: The good news is that several studies have shown that playing sport on a regular basis can dramatically increase heart health and reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease.
Stress and anxiety reduction: According to Harvard Medical School, exercise combats stress through both neurochemical and behavioural means.
Social connections: Clubs and sports teams are a great way to meet new people and socialise.
Reducing the risk of diabetes: According to the Diabetics Protection Association of Portugal, exercise is also an effective way to prevent diabetes complications and control blood glucose levels. For it will stimulate the production of insulin.
Reduction of body fat: As we all know, sport is a great way to lose weight, reducing possible cardio-vascular problems, prolonging the quality of life.
Teamwork: Playing as a team is one of the best ways to bond with new people.
Better sleep: According to the National Sleep Foundation, studies have shown that in just four weeks, individuals with chronic insomnia who begin regular exercise can fall asleep up to 13 minutes faster and stay asleep 18 minutes longer. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/exercise-and-insomnia
Lower blood pressure: According to the Mayo Clinic, a stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort. If the heart can work less to pump, the force on your arteries decreases, lowering your blood pressure. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045206
Improve your appearance: In addition to weight loss, physical activity can help your appearance by improving your muscle tone.
Improve your mood: According to certain studies, sporting activities can trigger brain chemicals that lift your mood. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(18)30227-X/fulltext#seccestitle10
Also, watch this TED Talk on the importance of exercise for the brain here:
