Many adults have fond memories of playing youth sports as a child.

The excitement and camaraderie are lessons we learn on the ballfield and take with us into our adult years. Our parents liked that it got us out of the house for fresh air and exercise.

However, just because we are no longer children doesn’t mean that we cannot still enjoy recreational sports. We want to point out four benefits to joining an adult sports league.

1. Keeps Us Moving
In our busy lives, it can be hard to find time to exercise, but adult sports leagues are an easy way to get a couple hours of activity into your week. Of course, this depends on the activity – basketball is going to work up more of a sweat than cornhole, for example.

2. Widens Your Social Circle
It gets harder to meet people as we get older, especially ones with common interests. An adult sports league will naturally connect you with people that share a love of the particular activity that you’re signing up for. Uniting for a common goal of winning a game builds camaraderie, and many teams take part in postgame trips to a restaurant or bar to keep conversation and good times rolling away from the playing field.

3. Could Help You Get Ahead at the Office
Many adult sports league teams are fielded by companies. Joining one of these teams can connect you with people in your company that you may have otherwise not had the chance to meet. Many times, a supervisor or member of management will play on a team, get to know an employee/teammate, and promote that person.

4. Strengthens Your Mental Health
With so many obligations to family and work, it’s tough to forget that we all need a little “me time” every now and then. Signing up for an adult sports league will give you that outlet. Returning to an activity that you were successful at in your childhood could also provide a confidence boost if you can channel some of that skill and excel in that sport many years later.