Try these 4 Sports that can Help you Relax

If you're looking to relax, we recommend trying these sports that are excellent to do so. In this article, we'll give you a few examples of how you can do this yourself in the way you enjoy the most.
Try these 4 Sports that can Help you Relax

Last update: 28 June, 2019

Relaxing isn’t always simple when you’ve got a schedule full of tasks and chores to do. However, it’s quite important for your health that you detach from stress, and you can achieve this with sports. In this article, we’ll give you a few ideas on how some sports can help you relax.

It’s clear that many people nowadays are so immersed in their responsibilities in everyday tasks that they don’t take out time for themselves. And so, we recommend trying some sports that can help you relax, since it’s one of the best ways to do so. However, not all sports have the same relaxing effect on the body, some are more efficient at it.

Thus, when choosing the right sports that can help you relax, you must avoid possible sources of stress. Therefore, it’s vital to stay away from sports that are too competitive or that generate situations of discomfort.

Likewise, you must choose resistant disciplines such as running or swimming, since they’re perfect to release stress. However, don’t forget to stretch before and after each training session. This will help your body and your muscles to relax and avoid muscular and joint tension.

Which sports help you relax?

Here, we’re going to give you the list of sports that can actually help you relax if you practice them.

1. Water aerobics

First, on the list, we have water aerobics because it’s, in fact, one of the most effective sports to help you relax. This is so due to the resistance that it requires since you have to make strong movements against water resistance. And so, this sport requires a high cardiovascular and muscular level.

Water aerobics to help you relax

Water can help relax the muscles and thus, at the same time release your tension. Therefore, water aerobics is perfect for people who suffer from chronic stress and look for absolute relaxation.

2. Cycling

Cycling is one of the best sports to relax, aside from being quite fun to perform. If you’re looking to start, we recommend you start out slow and increase the intensity gradually. Thus, start with lower speeds and shorter distances, and then move to faster speeds and longer distances.

The best part of cycling is that you have the reigns over how much you want to push your limits. For example, you can go up or down the hills, or maybe you want to stay on a flat surface.

Cycling to relax

Any way you choose to practice this sport, it’s one of the best ways to help you relax and clear your mind. Thus, we highly recommend people of all fitness levels, to start cycling.

3. Running

Running can be a great way to leave your worries behind and find a way to train the body and mind. And so, the best part of this is that you only need running shoes and the motivation to go out.

In fact, running can be an especially healthy activity if performed away from the stress of the city. Thus, running helps you find a deeper connection between your mind and body, just like meditation. Try it out and start seeing these incredible benefits both for the mind and for your physical training.

Running can have some great benefits for the body and mind

4. Swimming to help you relax

And last but not least, one of the sports that can help you relax the most is swimming. There are different ways to swim to exercise, and also to relax. We recommend trying varied swimming motions in order to exercise the different muscles in the body.

In fact, you don’t even have to put all your effort and tired yourself when you’re in the pool. Consequently, in a good swimming exercise routine, you won’t even feel that tired or overheated. Just by moving in the water, you’re already exercising different muscles in your body.

Swimming can help you relax and also strengthen your muscles.

The sports we included here to help you relax are just a few of the most common ones. We’re sure that if you try out some of these sports, or others, to your preference, you’ll start to feel better. And so, what are you waiting for? Start exercising and forget about your problems for a while.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


    • Andaluza de, R., & Andaluza de Medicina del Deporte. Centro Andaluz de Medicina del Deporte. Volumen, R. C. (2014). Medicina del Deporte. Rev Andal Med Deporte. Rev Andal Med Deporte77(11), 33–4333. https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00204-06
    • Ramírez, W., Vinaccia, S., & Gustavo, R. S. (2004). El impacto de la actividad física y el deporte sobre la salud, la cognición, la socialización y el rendimiento académico: Una revisión teórica. Revista de Estudios Sociales, (18), 67–75. https://doi.org/10.7440/res18.2004.06

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.