Luca Simmons serves as a business operations analyst intern while also working part-time as a dental assistant on an as-needed basis. Before his internship, he volunteered as an assistant baseball coach for the Roland Park Baseball League. In addition to his coaching experience, Luca Simmons enjoys sports as a spectator.
There are obvious health benefits to playing sports, but even simply watching your favorite team can provide a number of surprising benefits. Here are three of the biggest advantages of being a sports fan.
1. Longevity - Yes, liking a sports team can actually help you live longer. According to a Brigham Young University study, the shared community and social aspects of being a fan can increase your longevity and your chance of living longer by up to 50 percent. The improved odds apply to everything from getting over a pesky cold to surviving cancer.
2. Family Bonding - Loyola Marymount University professor Lawrence A. Wenner, PhD, who has spent time studying how sports and relationships mix, says that sharing a common interest in a sports team can increase marital bliss. Similarly, watching sports with your children can help teach them valuable lessons like gracious losing and the value of teamwork.
3. Inspiration - Watching your favorite sport on TV may encourage you to get out and play that or another sport yourself. According to professor and sports psychologist Daniel Wann, PhD, “the more you can relate or connect to a sport, the more likely it will influence you to get moving.”
