Here’s a chapter on my relationship with sports, including how and why volleyball has become essential to my life.
I firmly believe in sports’ impact on mental well-being and am particularly interested in the strong connection between sports and a person’s psychological state. When I engaged in regular and consistent sports activities, I found myself more focused and creative in all areas, and I seldom experienced panic attacks or depression. Additionally, those were my peak academic years, as I managed to attain good grades while participating in sports.
The issue, however, was that I didn’t recognize those benefits while actively participating in sports; it only became apparent after I ceased and faced various challenges.
I paused my regular sports activities to concentrate on my final high school years to enter university. I completed the year with decent grades, although not as high as my previous standards. Subsequently, I enrolled in a university and am currently in the College of Engineering.
Over four complete semesters, I passed all my courses without failure, yet my grades did not meet my expectations, summarizing my academic journey thus far. On a psychological and mental level, the impact is significant. My mental health is nearing its lowest point, and I experience episodes of sadness, depression, and occasional panic due to various challenges I am facing.
After much reflection, I’ve realized that my current struggles may stem from my lack of engagement in sports. Considering this logically, I’ve previously faced similar situations while actively involved in sports, yet I wasn’t as negatively effected as I am now. Therefore, it’s clear that sports played a significant role in my past experiences and continue to influence my present state.
Consequently, I’ve made a significant decision to resume sports activities. However, which sport is suitable after nearly a three-year break? I opted for volleyball, and here is my rationale.
I joined the volleyball team at a neighborhood youth center about a month ago, practicing volleyball throughout the upcoming semester and concluding in late January. The objectives are to enhance my academic performance, bolster my mental and psychological well-being, and diminish episodes of depression. I also plan to document my state before and after the experiment to gauge the impact.
Why did I choose volleyball? There are five reasons why. 1) The anime Haikyuu inspired me and piqued my interest. 2) My body can no longer endure the physical demands and rough tackles of handball. 3) Volleyball is a strategic mind game akin to chess, making it more than a physical activity. 4) The game enhances one’s flexibility. And lastly, there was learning involved: my lack of familiarity with volleyball’s basic techniques motivated me to learn and master it.
Now that I’ve shared my situation and approach, I’d very much appreciate receiving your comments. Feedback, please!
