Is Football Still Illegal?

Yesterday a friend messaged me saying that someone he works with is thinking of starting a 5-a-side football team, and asked me if I was interested in playing. It then turned out that neither of us were even sure if it was now legal to even play football 😅 (I'm still not sure, I haven't even bothered checking to be honest, the rules seem to change by the minute).

It highlights the craziness we now find ourselves in though. I guess you have to laugh. What else can you do.

It's made even more surreal by the recent news that the UK government has big plans to get everyone to lose weight. Including doctors prescribing bike rides apparently, amongst other things.

Exercise vs Fun

This in turn got me thinking about the difference between exercise and team sports (or fun activities in general). Something that I've often thought about before.

Firstly, unlike running on a treadmill or a hamster wheel, football and other team sports exercise everything. Not only is it a full body work out, but you're also exercising your mind as well. Reacting to opponents, interacting with teammates. Moving and thinking.

You need to be aware, whereas on a treadmill or exercise bike you can be in your own little world. Literally just repetitively going through the motions.

Then on top of that you have the enjoyment aspect too. When you play football you're in the moment, having fun. Just enjoying the game. When you're on the hamster wheel though you don't have that distraction or euphoria (though granted I'm sure there are a few people who do get tremendous joy from running, etc). Especially if you're doing it simply because you feel you need to get healthy.

You're literally doing the exercise thinking "I hope this stops me from dying". Even more so if you're constantly checking your heart rate and so forth.

This fixation on health and death can't be a healthy mindset to have ( - if that makes sense :p ).

..and finally, this is the difference between stress and joy. You might do a lot of physical activity at work for example, but if you're stressed and worried that might not be great for your health. So is it the same with exercise? If you're running on your hamster wheel worrying about dying then is that good exercise, or is it just more work ..and more stress and misery.

Something you genuinely like though. Like football, dancing, or just spending time in the great outdoors, etc. Especially if you're doing it with friends is surely much better for you.