Healing can take many forms. Sometimes it looks like a student lacing up their shoes, stepping onto a court, and discovering a new way to manage emotions, build confidence, and feel safe.
Physical activity plays a powerful role in the healing journey for many young people. When students move their bodies, they’re learning to regulate emotions, build trust, and reconnect with themselves in ways that feel natural and empowering. Sports and structured movement offer rhythm, routine, and a sense of belonging that many students haven’t experienced before. In these spaces, growth happens quietly but consistently, shaping confidence, resilience, and hope.
Activities like sports, walking, stretching, and structured exercise activate parts of the brain responsible for calming the nervous system. This supports skills such as:
- Emotional regulation
- Impulse control
- Social connection
- Self‑awareness
- Confidence building
Jessica Lacey, Director of Clinical Services at Josiah White’s, touches on the effects these have on our students.
“Beyond physical health benefits, regular physical activity provides important therapeutic support for adolescents. Exercise reduces stress and anxiety while releasing endorphins that naturally improve mood and emotional well-being. For teens, it offers a healthy outlet for managing academic, social, and developmental pressures.”
She also notes
Organized sports further promote mental health by fostering teamwork, connection, and a sense of belonging. Working toward shared goals builds resilience, confidence, and self-esteem, while navigating challenges together strengthens emotional regulation skills. The relationships formed in team environments can be especially meaningful, providing stability, support, and positive peer influence during a critical stage of development.”
Nate Plyler, Head Basketball Coach at White’s Jr./Sr. High School sees firsthand how physical activity helps students practice emotional regulation, teamwork, and perseverance in real time.
“Resilience has been a keyword for us from the start of the season. Basketball is hard, and we don’t try to bleed the tension out of it because life is hard. Our goal isn’t just to teach the game — it’s to help students develop mental toughness and positive coping strategies they can carry into everyday challenges.”
Many of the students he coaches are playing organized basketball for the first time. They’re learning to communicate, trust teammates, follow structure, and perform under pressure — all while being supported by staff who remind them they’re not alone.
“We create opportunities where players can let out frustration in safe spaces. We build trust. We teach them how to handle adversity in a positive way — often for the first time in their lives. Watching their growth is an honor.”
Research from respected groups like the Aspen Institute reinforces what our staff see everyday: movement can open doors to healing. For our basketball team, that truth became especially clear.
When our students reflected on this basketball season, their words revealed what healing truly looks like.
“My coach and my team really brought me up.”
“We are a family. We push each other to our limits, and we push ourselves to the sky — the sky’s the limit.”
At Josiah White’s, we create new possibilities for our students, and those possibilities become real because of the generosity of our donors, community partners, and the dedication of our staff. Together, they help build the pathways where students can heal, grow, and discover who they are becoming.
