Physical Health
Healthy habits are hard to develop and requires one to change their mindset. Families, communities, school, and the media can influence the dietary and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents. Students struggle balancing academics, work, social activities, and finding time to manage their physical health. Physical health contributes to the overall health and well-being of an individual. It can reflect a person’s mental and emotional health. Because students are extremely busy, they spend majority of their time consuming fast food on the daily basis. It’s easier to grab fries and a burger from McDonalds than spending your time cooking a meal, right? WRONG! Fast food is higher in calories, fat, sugar, sodium, and carbohydrates which can create chronic health conditions. Creating healthy habits can control your weight, improve mood regulation, boost energy, and improve longevity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Children with obesity have a higher risk for having other chronic health conditions and diseases that influence physical health. These include asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, type 2 diabetes, and risk factors for heart disease.
- Children who are obese are likely to be bullied and teased more than their normal weight peers.
- More likely to suffer from social isolation, depression, and lower self-esteem.
- Data from 2015-2016 show that nearly 1 in 5 school age children and young people (6-19 years) in the United States has obesity.
Don’t be afraid of what research says, there is still time for you to make a change in your lifestyle TODAY. We all want to be the best and look our BEST! Creating healthy habits can be difficult, but SLS Chapters can help their peers in the following ways:
- SLS Chapters can create events such as a walk-a-thon to get their school and community involved. Chapters can have a hula-hooping contest and win prizes, create a physical health FUN day or a 5-minute move your body session during lunch. Students can play inspiring music during classroom breaks to get everyone dancing and grooving!
- Not only do SLS Chapters have to talk about the importance of being physically healthy, but it is also important to include topics about mental and emotional health. Students can host an assembly and facilitate workshops that focus on the different benefits of being physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy.
Listed below are some more tips to help you look and feel your BEST:
- If you’re going to snack, choose a healthier option instead of candy or chips.
- DRINK more water. Water is very important to your body. It helps flush out toxins, bacteria, regulates blood circulation, boosts energy, immune system, and improves skin complexion. Research suggests that adolescents and adults are supposed to drink at least 8 cups of water or more a day.
- Create and write down goals for yourself. How are you going to commit to this goal? How are you going to achieve this goal? What are you going to do differently? These are some general questions you can ask yourself when it comes to changing your mindset and achieving your goal.
- Get up and GET ACTIVE. Getting active can decrease your likely of developing chronic health conditions. Students should do at least 30-60 minutes or more of physical activity each day.
- Be surrounded in a healthy environment. A healthy environment is essential to the overall well-being of an individual. Students that are in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment are more likely to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. SLS creates that environment.
- Stay positive. Creating a healthy habit doesn’t happen overnight. For some people it may be shorter time frame while for others it may take longer.
NOW LET’S GET ACTIVE!
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