Physical activity helps boost students' mental health

The story of Hu Xinyu, a 15-year-old boy who went missing from his school in Jiangxi province in October before police announced last week that he was found to have committed suicide near his school, has gripped and saddened people across the country. It has emerged that Hu was an introvert and extremely distressed because of his low grades, social incapability, and high sensitivity.

In China, grades are often the only important indicators of a student's performance, while their mental and physical fitness and character building are sidelined. Although physical activity and training can significantly help boost students' physical and mental health and build an all-around resilient character, some parents and teaching staff feel these would eat into study time and affect their grades.

However, regular physical activity and training will not only help children's growth, but also promote their psychological health. To begin with, physical activity can divert their attention and help reduce academic pressure. Children can feel and savor the taste of youth and the vigor of life whether in the sports field or amid nature, something that will help build their perseverance.

Furthermore, when they cooperate with their peers in physical activities, it naturally strengthens their bonding and communication skills, helping develop a sense of closeness and belonging.

Besides, physical training more or less involves competition and can teach participants how to deal with setbacks. Physical training also involves a repetition of some form of activity. Players can understand that temporary frustration does not mean failure and learn to persevere better. Children and teenagers engaging in activities and training are often found to be more resilient.

Engaging in physical activity and training will only do more good than harm for students who are burdened with academic stress.

Dong Wuzhi, a lecturer at the Chinese Football College, Beijing Sport University.