Dear Anna
In your last letter you asked me to tell you about my pets. OK, I can talk for hours on this topic. I have a dog; his name is La boule. That’s a French word which means a ball. He is a pug and he is very funny. I also have a hamster. His name is Masha. Not a usual name for a hamster, you say, but he is very curious and smart enough. I would also like to have a cat, but perhaps not now.
I’m fine, no changes since the last time. I’m passing my exams next week. After that, I’m looking forward to going abroad. I like traveling a lot. I’ve visited just a few European countries but I fell in love with the Old world. My dream is to go to Paris. This is the city of love, croissants and haut-couture. I think every person should see it and not necessarily die after it!
You told me that you had been to many countries. Tell me about your greatest trip! Have you been to Paris, did you like it? What are you going to do this summer? Where would you like to go?
I’m so happy that your sister married! Wish her and her husband a very good luck! Hope the wedding was as gorgeous as the bride was!
Could you send me some photos?
Sorry, I have to go, my parents are leaving on holidays, I need to see them off.
Waiting for your letter,
Yours truly,
Masha
1. sports improve your mood
want a burst of happiness and relaxation? get involved in a physical activity. whether you are playing sports, working out at a gym, or taking a brisk walk, physical activity triggers brain chemicals that make you feel happier and more relaxed. team sports in particular provide a chance to unwind and engage in a satisfying challenge that improves your fitness. they also provide social benefits by allowing you to connect with teammates and friends in a recreational setting.
2. sports improve your concentration
regular physical activity helps keep your key mental skills sharp as you age. this includes critical thinking, learning, and using good judgment. research has shown that doing a mix of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities is especially helpful. participating in this kind of activity three to five times a week for at least 30 minutes can provide these mental health benefits.
3. sports reduce stress and depression
when you are physically active, your mind is distracted from daily stressors. this can help you avoid getting bogged down by negative thoughts. exercise reduces the levels of stress hormones in your body. at the same time, it stimulates production of endorphins. these are natural mood lifters that can keep stress and depression at bay. endorphins may even leave you feeling more relaxed and optimistic after a hard workout. experts agree that more quality research is needed to determine the relationship between sports and depression.
4. sports improve sleep habits
sports and other forms of physical activity improve the quality of sleep. they do this by helping you fall asleep faster and deepening your sleep. sleeping better can improve your mental outlook the next day, as well as improve your mood. just be careful not to engage in sports too late in the day. evening practices within a few hours of bedtime may leave you too energized to sleep.
5. sports help you maintain a healthy weight
the centers for disease control and prevention (cdc) recommend sports participation as a healthy way to maintain weight. individual sports, such as running, cycling, and weightlifting, are all particularly effective ways to burn calories and/or build muscle. staying within a recommended weight range reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.
6. sports boost your self-confidence
the regular exercise that comes with playing sports can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. as your strength, skills, and stamina increase through playing sports, your self-image will improve as well. with the renewed vigor and energy that comes from physical activity, you may be more likely to succeed in tasks off the playing field as well as on it.
7. sports have been linked to leadership traits
team sports such as soccer, baseball, and basketball are breeding grounds for leadership traits. studies done in high schools reveal a correlation between sports participation and leadership qualities. because of the opportunity to train, try, win, or lose together, people involved in sports are naturally more inclined to adopt a “team mindset” in the workplace and in social situations. the team mindset leads to strong leadership qualities over time.