Unlocking Wellness: A transformative influence of Sports on Mental Well-Being

Author: Husen Kaduji

I started my first year at medical college this year, and it was a big change from school to college. There were big expectations and lots of anticipation, and I was excited about starting my new journey in medicine. Besides the regular subjects in the first year, we also had a foundation program. One of the courses was about the “importance of mental health and hygiene to a medical student in the medical profession; stress management, including the importance of sports and extracurricular activities.” In one of our classroom sessions, I learned that being involved in sports and extracurricular activities is not only good for physical health but also for mental health. I always knew it was good for staying fit, but I did not realize it could also help with mental health. As the weeks went by, the academic pressure started building with new subjects, terminologies, and a different way of studying. Balancing clinicals, practicals, and adjusting to a new place with new friends was a lot to handle. The size of the class, the discipline of medical college, and everything happening at once started to feel overwhelming. After a few weeks, it was sports week. That’s when I remembered what I learned in the foundation program. The pressure I felt was significantly reduced during sports week. Yes, sports can positively impact mental health. It’s like achieving two goals at once. Sports not only keep your body fit but also strengthen your mind, acting as a secret weapon against life's stress. It’s not just about physical fitness; it’s about building resilience in your mind. Sports release endorphins, the natural mood lifters, making you feel good and boosting confidence. Being part of a team, whether in sports or other activities, is a complete experience. It teaches you how to make friends, work together, communicate better, and understand the importance of discipline. Engaging in physical activity is like training for life, where the skills you learn go beyond the playing field. It is about managing time, solving problems, and being creative—a holistic approach to personal development. I remember a cricket match. In one, we gave the opposition an imposing target. We started the second inning by taking an impressive early wicket, but after some missed deliveries, the opposing team started to come close to victory. During that moment, we did not lose hope and kept encouraging each other and taking some instant decisions. With the resilience and cooperative support of each teammate, we overcame that situation by taking the match to an intense level. Unfortunately, we ended up losing on the edge of victory by a narrow margin of just one wicket. Despite losing to a more skilled team, our team showed incredible unity. We learned that winning isn’t the only thing that matters. It's about teamwork, support, and encouraging each other, even in tough situations. This taught me that these values are not just important in sports but are crucial for overcoming everyday obstacles. The academic pressure I felt before the sports week went away, and now I feel much better and more positive. I see things that used to stress me out differently, and I can concentrate and pay attention better. It is not just me; I noticed my classmates feeling better too. I think we should spend more time doing outdoor activities instead of just staring at screens. It is good for our minds, and we should make it a regular part of our routine for better mental well-being. Embrace the magic of sports and extracurricular activities—see how they lead you to a healthier, happier, and more awesome version of yourself!

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*Foundation Programme: It is part of the new homoeopathic undergraduate curriculum designed by the Homoeopathy Education Board, NCH (National Commission of Homoeopathy). It includes an introduction to the BHMS course structure, learning methods, technology usage, and peer interaction, which would facilitate their smooth transition from junior college to homoeopathic college. It is achieved through the dedicated 10-day sessions at the beginning of the BHMS course to orient and sensitize the students to various identified areas. The broad goals of the foundation program in homeopathy include:

1. Orienting the students to various aspects of the homeopathic system of medicine;

2. Creating in them a conscious awareness of the “mission” as defined by Master Hahnemann;

3. Equipping them with certain basic but important skills required for going through this professional course and taking care of patients;

4. Enhancing their communication, language, computer, and learning skills;

5. Proving an opportunity for peer and faculty interaction and introducing an orientation to various learning methodologies.

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Glimpses of Sports Week at Smt. Malini Kishore Sanghvi Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital.

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