Why You Need a Rival - The Basics of a Healthy Competition

Stressed over your opponent's success? Learn more about why a healthy competition is good for you. Read on…

It's a competitive world out there, where everyone, right from school going kids to top business tycoons are struggling to get to the top. The cut-throat competition, the stress and the peer pressure can sometimes be crippling, often ending up in worse scenarios making headlines in the tabloids.

But studies suggest that a healthy competition may actually be good for you. Surprised? Read on to know the inside story.

Concept of competition is present in frontal region of brain
Researchers at University of Otago in New Zealand found that neurons present in the frontal cortex region of the brain became active when making decisions.

The science behind: The brain works in an amazing way when exposed to healthy competition, specifically co-operative competition. Unlike direct competition, where there is definitely a loser, and it often ends in lower productivity, anger, insecurity and stress, co-operative competition, wherein a team works together, the brain releases chemicals that enhance bonding, pleasure and motivation.

If team strives together to achieve the set goal, the brain internally desires the feel-good-chemicals; the endorphins, which further motivates the individuals of the team and increases their productivity. This kind of inner motivation is extremely beneficial as it is inner motivation that drives people to reach greater heights.

This is true in case of kids too, so the next time you compare your kid’s score with his friend's, think again, and instead, encourage team work and group studies.

Competition improves diet and hydration of sports people
The diet and hydration of sportsmen get better during competition, a new study has found.

Quotes to remember: It's not just the science; many famous people have quoted healthy competition to be one of the major driving forces towards success, all tried and tested.

Authors of the bestselling NutureShock: New Thinking about Children, Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman buried themselves into decades of research and studies, all on psychology, genetics and neuroscience to shed light to more about how humans respond to pressure.

Kids fighting it out is good: Sibling rivalry betters social skills and vocabulary
Scientists at Cambridge University have found that children who argue with their siblings are likely to do better in later life, andounger offspring arguing with their older siblings

Their argument in their new book Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing stating that competition is crucial, regardless of an individual's performance, validates the fact even further.

Put it to use: Healthy competition is a must to excel, and it’s best when started from home. Authors of the book Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing have put down these tips for a better healthy competition that may help you succeed.

Athlete's performance might be boosted by rivalry
Swimmers might actually benefit from the celebrated rivalry between American swimmers Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps.

• Narrow down your opponents. It's best when you stick to one or two close, manageable opponents, which makes your target achievable and boosts your confidence levels.

• Start from home, be it a simple video game or a political discussion. People are more successful when they have the home-field advantage.

• Play to win, not to avoid losing. Trying to avoid losing actually makes you more prone to committing mistakes.

Source-Medindia