The Impact of Sport on Lithuanian Youth Confidence and Stress Levels

Basketball - many say is Lithuania’s second religion. Alongside basketball, swimming, football, athletics, and boxing are all well-known and respected here. Lithuanians as a nation passionately support their athletes in the Olympics, but the story doesn’t end there. How does sport actually look in the lives of young people?

For teenagers, children, and young adults in Lithuania, it’s really common to join a sports club. As a member of Gen Z, I can confidently say that almost every young person I know is involved in some kind of sport. When the long, dark winters and the rainy autumn evenings set in and make the world outside seem gloomy and lifeless, after a hard day at school or university, that brightly lit gym or swimming pool often feels like an escape from reality.

Everyone knows that sport trains the body and helps you stay in shape, but we often forget the mental health benefits. Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, well known as “happiness hormones.” They help reduce anxiety, brighten your mood and give you more energy. Exercise also lowers cortisol levels - the stress hormone. Young people—perhaps not only in Lithuania but worldwide, face significant academic pressure, especially during their school years. For many, regular physical activity becomes a healthy “let go” for emotions.

Sport also creates some of the strongest friendships. Many young Lithuanians meet their closest friends through team sports or shared training sessions. This sense of belonging can protect against feelings of loneliness or even depression that often appear in adolescence. The list of sport’s positive effects could go on and on.

However, there is also a less positive side. Among boys in Lithuania, basketball is by far the most popular sport. Competition is intense—after all, this is our “second religion,” and we have world-class players to look up to. This possibly can create high expectations for young athletes just because they are Lithuanian. Professional sport is not for everyone, yet it is common for young people to set big goals or dream of a professional career. Unfortunately, this sometimes costs the quality of academic performance, and if the dream doesn’t come true, it can lead to frustration or hopelessness.

That’s why it’s important to enjoy what you do. It’s wonderful that gym workouts and sports for personal well-being are becoming increasingly popular. Studies also show that young people who engage in regular sports tend to have healthier diets and better sleep patterns than those who don’t.

In the end, sport shapes young people and helps them stay healthy—not only physically, but mentally. And like most good things in life, it’s all about balance.