Most people participate in sports as a way to keep their body in good physical condition. While they certainly do that, they are also good for the mind. In fact, different sports offer different advantages, and here are just a few to consider:

• Rock climbing. As a rock climber, not only will you develop strong arms, legs, and core, but you will also strengthen your patience. This particular sport takes a long time to master, so you will build your perseverance as you keep going back to get better and better over time. It also enhances your planning skills as you must deliberately figure out where to place your hands and feet so you don’t slip and potentially fall.

• Hiking. Take up the sport of hiking and one of the first things you’ll notice, in addition to your stronger legs, is improved memory. After all, you don’t want to forget your way or you will spend hours, if not days, lost and traveling in circles. For this reason, hiking is also good for making you a better planner as you pick the route you intend to take. And, don’t forget how well it makes you manage your resources as you only have what is on your back or available to you in the wild as you go.

• Fishing. When you spend the day on or near the water, you learn to sit back and relax as your success is completely in the hands of someone (or something) else. You can be the best fisherman in the world, but that doesn’t mean that you’re going to catch “the big one” every time you are out. Fishing is also about strategy, which is great for improving your brain power as you try to outwit your prey.

Think about the sports activities that you are involved in. What skills and traits do they help promote and develop?