Top 10 benefits of involving in extra curricular activities

“All study and no play makes Jack a dull boy” – a famous proverb well entrenched in our minds since childhood. While teachers often stress upon this, and parents appreciate its value, youngsters rarely get a chance to implement it. It is widely accepted that extracurricular activities are the best way of developing an individual’s personality and trimming down mental stress. A child, youngster or an adult for that matter, can improve their skills and enhance their confidence level. Psychologists also recommend these activities over other monotonous confidence building classes. The top 10 benefits of extracurricular activities are:
 10. Improves interpersonal relationships:
They improve interpersonal skills and help in developing broader and confident outlook when dealing with people. The person becomes more outgoing. He/she attains the quality of analyzing people on the basis of their behavior and weighs the pros and cons involved in befriending him/her, accordingly.

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9. Improves confidence levels:
An introvert child or an adult’s confidence can be enhanced by participating in extracurricular activities. These activities reduce inhibitions in a person and groom his confidence. They provide a total revamp to his introvert personality. As mentioned earlier, these activities are widely recommended by psychologists and result in overall development of a person.

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8. Helps in exploring individual interests:
Extracurricular activities provide a chance to children or adults in exploring their area of interest. Most people are unaware about their interests and keep their inner self subdued for most part of their life. Regularly participating in extracurricular activities can help a child or adult to recognize his/her potential. This provides an opportunity to convert interests into a profession. There is no better way to get totally involved in your work than taking up your hobby as profession.

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7. Helps in better time management:
One of the most important benefits of extracurricular activities is that one develops a sense of scheduling his/her day to day life. He/she gets an opportunity to set priorities right and manage time prudently. A child can learn to arrange his daily proceeding and put his leanings to the best use. This advantage would surely entice his/her parents in supporting these activities.

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6. Relaxes the mind:
These activities work like mind relaxation therapies and reduce the stress associated with one’s busy day to day life. The best part is that the cost of extracurricular activities is almost negligible given their benefits. It is always good to shake a leg or two, paint, sing, write, and indulge in activities that promote individual welfare.

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5. Makes individuals more responsible:
Children learn management and balance responsibilities once they are engaged in such activities. Participation in sports activities particularly can make a child aware of the concept of team building and co-existence. People can better their time, resources and efforts. It is through extracurricular activities that one can learn to face the challenges and overcome them without getting depressed as people in day to day life tend to do!

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4. Promotes emotional well being:
Children in particular need proper emotional development in order to counter the problems they might face in future. The world is not cozy as it looks within the hundred meter radius of a child’s home. The world is getting more and more difficult to live in wake of surging social tensions. And, these activities can always help in growth of an emotionally strong individual.

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3. Encourages social growth:
In the wake of the growing trend of nuclear families and working parents, especially in the cities; most children feel left out in the absence of parental care. This breeds a sense of discontent among children and they only feel safe in aloofness. It results in annihilation of their social life. It is therefore mandatory for working parents to engage their children in such activities so they regain the meaning of socializing.

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2. Helps in channelizing energy:
Alcohol and drugs have become a huge menace to the society. This problem is only becoming huge with each passing day. In order to counter this surging problem in the society we need to ensure that our young generation transfers most of its unchannelised energy towards extracurricular activities. These activities help in building better stamina and a stronger immune system.

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1. Helps Cure Depression:
One of the gravest problems affecting modern society is the increasing number of suicides. In the stressful and competitive environment of today, the only solution left with us is to engage in extracurricular activities as frequently as possible. Studies worldwide have shown that kids and adults taking up these activities are more inclined to stay away from depression and suicidal feelings. These activities are highly recommended for kids and adults suffering from depression.

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