Nearly every child, pre-teen and teenager participates in some kind of sport, whether it’s at his or her school during PE class or with a group of friends after school or on weekends. If you ask an adult what kind of sport they played in their youth, most will cite a long list of childhood activities with a glint of nostalgia in their eye.

However, as time goes on, most of us eventually move away from recreational sports. While a lack of time, money and energy are common excuses, participating in sports as an adult is beneficial both physically and mentally.

Practically everyone understands that exercise is positive for a person’s health. Most doctors recommend regular exercise of at least thirty minutes a day. Often people will take long walks around their neighborhood, drive to the gym to lift weights, or jump around in front of an exercise-oriented TV program to stay active. However, these types of exercises are often solitary, making it easy for a person to lose interest and motivation.

This is where recreational sports come in. Sports are generally accepted as a positive activity for children as it gives them a chance to build character, friendships and stay active. However, the same benefits apply to adults as well. Participating in sports gives adults a reason to get away from their day-to-day lives. It gives them a chance to compete against each other in a healthy and stimulating environment while also lowering the chance of heart disease, obesity, and other potentially life-threatening illnesses.

According to an article published by the European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, participating in sports additionally allowed many people to better adapt to the aging process while decreasing the risk of “ill health, disability, isolation or dependency in old age.”

Whether it means joining a local softball team or playing tag football in the afternoon, with perfect spring temperatures across Pearl River County, now is the perfect time to get involved in a local community sport.