Activities for sports fans to stay active and have fun
It’s been a strange year for sports. Major league schedules were turned upside down in the spring and leagues that should be getting into gear right now are in the midst of their off-seasons. And whether or not you can play in amateur leagues right now depends on where you live. Sports form an important part of our lives, but without weekly televised games and with many rec leagues not operating, we all need something to scratch the itch.
We turn to sports for all kinds of reasons: health and exercise, a passion for the game, our competitive spirits. Sometimes sports are pure entertainment and sometimes they’re the core of our social lives.
Competition doesn’t just help us stay active or entertained. It also helps us find out who we are and what we’re capable of doing. It’s a subject explored in , an Audible Original by Dr. Michael Gervais and NFL coach Pete Carroll. What they’ve found is that athletes and other professionals with a competitive nature have organized their inner lives in a way that helps them thrive. Competition is a way for people to find the best in themselves.
The absence of our favourite sports in our day-to-day hasn’t been easy, but there are a few ways we can still engage with our favourite athletes and activities.
Take the Kids to the Batting Cages
It might be too cold to hit the local baseball diamond, but it doesn’t mean the kids can’t practice their swing. Take a Saturday to hit the batting cages and stay in practice. Don’t let those hard-earned skills get stale just because games aren’t being played. It’s also a great way to spend some much-needed time together with your kids. When you’re helping them practice, you’re not just a parent. You’re also a coach. That’s how NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar feels about his parents. In his memoir for young listeners, , he credits his parents as the creators of a huge support network that helped him achieve greatness on the court and use his fame to become an activist for social change.
A Football Feast for the Whole Family
Unlike many other sports, the NFL’s schedule for 2020-2021 has been largely unaffected. While it’s operating with fewer fans in the stands, or without them entirely, you don’t have to go to the game at all to make the most of out if. Some of football’s best traditions were made for your living room.
Have your own tailgate party for your family for the next Sunday game! The most important part of Sunday football is always the food.
If you need some inspiration for the next game day, check out Reggae star-turned-chef Levi Roots’ latest cooking podcast, . He talks to guests from around the world about their favourite dishes and how food is about comfort, culture, history and love. Sunday night football is all about making great memories right at home, so this is a perfect pairing.
