From stadiums to souls: How sports unites, heals, and keeps us healthy

Why the world’s favourite games do more than entertain—they bind us, lift us, and keep us well.

Sports and music are often spoken of in the same breath—two universal languages capable of stirring emotion, lifting spirits, and bringing people together. Music may offer a more predictable soothing effect, largely because we choose what we listen to. Sports, on the other hand, is gloriously unpredictable.

The same match that sends one fan into raptures can plunge another into despair. Yet despite this emotional volatility, sport remains one of humanity’s most powerful sources of joy, unity, and well-being.

This article isn’t a comparison between music and sports—though that would fill volumes. Instead, it’s a reflection on why sports, in all its beauty and brutality, continues to shape our emotional and physical health in profound ways. In an age where sedentary lifestyles and chronic stress are quietly eroding public health, sports offers something rare: movement, meaning, and community in a single package.

A global language of unity

We often say that sports unites people across borders, and nowhere is this more evident than in global games like football. Cricket, though played in fewer countries, commands the devotion of billions. Its reach may be narrower, but its emotional footprint is vast.

The scenes at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on the 1st day of the 5th Ashes Test reminded us why sports matters. As the crowd rose to honour Ahmed Al Ahmed—the hero of the Bondi attack—alongside other health workers, the stadium fell into a rare, collective silence. Tears flowed freely, including from an English player who had no direct connection to the tragedy. It was a reminder that sports, at its best, dissolves boundaries. It makes strangers feel like family.

The ongoing SCG cricket test, the Pink Test, is another powerful tradition each year, where the SCG turns into a sea of colour in support of the McGrath Foundation. What began as a tribute to Jane McGrath has grown into a national movement that funds breast care nurses and supports patients facing not just breast cancer, but a wide range of cancer journeys. It is a striking example of how sports amplifies compassion, raises awareness, and mobilises communities in ways few other platforms can. In those pink‑washed stands, you see the healing power of sports made visible.

And that sense of belonging is not just sentimental—it is profoundly protective. Social connection is now recognised as a pillar of health, reducing loneliness, improving mental wellbeing, and even lowering the risk of chronic disease. Sports creates these connections effortlessly.

How fans see the game

Cricket offers a fascinating study in cultural contrasts. Indian fans, by sheer numbers, dominate the global cricketing landscape. Their passion is unmatched, their devotion to star players almost mythic. For many, individual milestones—centuries, strike rates, personal records—carry as much emotional weight as the team’s victory.

Contrast this with the sporting cultures of England, Australia, and New Zealand, where the ethos is firmly team‑first. Winning the match is paramount; personal achievements are pleasant footnotes. Young cricketers are raised on this philosophy: enjoy the game, respect the opponent, shake hands before and after, and learn from every loss. Fans, too, tend not to spiral into despair after a defeat. Reflection, yes. Depression, no. The focus is always on improvement, resilience, and respect.

These cultural attitudes matter because they shape how people cope with stress, disappointment, and pressure—skills that spill over into everyday life. Sports becomes a rehearsal space for emotional regulation.

The spirit of competition

One of the most beautiful aspects of sports is the camaraderie between opponents. Fierce battles on the field are often followed by laughter, banter, and shared meals. Whether it’s a Test match between giants or a twilight 20‑over game among retirees, the spirit remains the same: play hard, play fair, and enjoy the contest.

The game shines brightest when politics stay out of the arena. When the focus shifts from competition to controversy, sports loses its soul. But when the contest is pure—pace bowlers steaming in, spinners weaving magic, batters crafting strokes of genius—it becomes a theatre of human excellence.

And behind that excellence lies something deeply physical. Sports strengthens the heart, improves circulation, enhances lung capacity, and keeps joints supple. Even modest participation—walking cricket, weekend tennis, a neighbourhood football game—can reduce inflammation, improve metabolic health, and boost immunity.

Heroes who heal

Some sports figures transcend their games entirely. Tendulkar, Messi, Federer, Step Curry—these are not just athletes but global ambassadors of grace, discipline, and humility. They inspire millions, often more effectively than political or religious leaders. Their influence is rooted not in authority, but in authenticity.

And inspiration itself is a health asset. When people feel motivated to move, to train, to join a club, or simply to walk more, the ripple effects on physical and mental well-being are enormous.

Why does sports make us healthier

Beyond the emotion and spectacle, sport delivers tangible health benefits:

• Physical fitness: improved cardiovascular health, stronger muscles, better balance, healthier bones.

• Mental wellbeing: reduced stress, improved mood, sharper focus, better sleep.

• Social connection: belonging, shared identity, community pride—powerful antidotes to loneliness.

• Resilience: learning to cope with loss, pressure, and uncertainty.

• Healthy ageing: better mobility, reduced fall risk, preserved independence.

• Metabolic health: lower risk of diabetes, obesity, and chronic inflammation.

Sports doesn’t just build bodies—it builds character, community, and collective strength. It is more than entertainment. It is a healer, a leveller, and a source of joy for millions. It strengthens individuals and binds communities. In a world often divided, sports remains one of the few arenas where humanity still comes together—not just to watch, but to feel. In the end, sports doesn’t just improve health—it enriches life.

Dr Johnson Kuttiyil Joseph is a UK-trained, consultant gynaecologist & laparoscopy surgeon working in Nowra, NSW, Australia.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.