1. How important is exercise and sports for mental health?
Sport and exercise can help you become and maintain mental health. For example, it can contribute to increased self-confidence and a positive self-image. It can also reduce mental health complaints, such as stress or feelings of depression (Andersen et al., 2019; Bailey et al., 2017; Eather et al., 2023; Eime et al., 2013; Rebar et al., 2015). Sport and exercising with others can also contribute to social behaviour and a sense of belonging (Andersen et al., 2019; Eather et al., 2023; Eime et al., 2013).
Being mentally healthy is not a given for everyone: 14 percent of adults in the Netherlands and 10 percent of young people (12-17 years) feel mentally unhealthy. People who feel mentally unhealthy exercise less than people who feel mentally healthy (Van Stam et al., 2024).
Mental illness can be an (additional) reason for not exercising or exercising less. For example, people who feel mentally unhealthy have less energy, more stress, lower self-confidence, and less motivation to exercise (Ooms et al., 2020). They therefore benefit less from the positive effects of sport and exercise on their mental health. So there are still opportunities here.
Also read this previous article by Moliere on sports and mental health:
