text: When students have extracurricular activities they have something else to focus on then their school work and that balances out their stress and anxiety. It gives them something else to think about and that usually decreases stress, but you can over think all the stuff you need to to and that can give you more. Mostly you will be in a better mental state. If you joined a sport it can strengthen your physical health to, and I don't really have to explain why.