300 Chapter 12 Health and Fitness
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Th e Importance of Good Health
Your health can affect you in a number of ways. Your ability to
succeed at school depends on your health. When you are physically fi t,
you are better able to stay alert and learn. Poor health can prevent you
from attending classes regularly. Your grades may suffer if you are not
able to attend lectures and participate in labs. This can affect any plans
you may have to go to college or technical school.
Good health is important to career achievement. Some careers
require excellent health and physical fi tness. You need to be in your
workplace daily. If poor health causes you to miss work, you may have
trouble keeping your job. If you stay healthy, you will be more likely to
advance in your career.
Your personal and family life will also be more satisfying if you have
good health. You will be able to more fully enjoy interacting with people
and taking part in activities. You will feel better as you do your daily
tasks. Good health will help you get more enjoyment from daily living.
Being Physically Active
Getting daily physical activity is a key part of building and maintaining
physical fi tness. Regular physical activity can enhance your posture.
It can improve your blood circulation and increase your lung capacity.
Building more movement into your day can help relieve stress, boredom,
and depression. Physical activity can help you build strength and fl exibility.
It can also help you manage your weight. Besides all that, physical activity
can be fun, especially if you do it with friends.
Physical activity does not have to be a strenuous exercise program.
Many of the tasks that are part of your daily routine are forms of moderate
physical activity. For instance, walking, bicycling, raking leaves, and
cleaning the house will all help
you develop fi tness. If you enjoy
activities that are more vigorous,
you might try dancing, swimming,
or playing tennis.
Th e Importance of
Leisure Activities
Leisure is freedom from
chores, homework, jobs, and other
responsibilities. It is the time you
have to do something just because
you want to do it. Leisure is not
only fun—it is also good for you.
The greatest benefi t derived from
Math Connection
Calculating Distances
Sarah has read that walking is a great
way to stay physically fi t. She walks 3 miles
6 days per week. How many feet does Sarah
walk in a week?
First, she calculates how many total miles she walks.
3 × 6 = 18
Then she multiplies the total number of miles by the
number of feet in a mile (5,280 feet).
18 × 5,280 = 95,040 feet
S
way
Physical Activity and
Mental Health
Physical activity is a healthy
form of stress management.
While you exercise, you
give yourself a mental
break from a stressor.
This can give you time to
reevaluate the situation and
see new solutions. Physical
activity is also a mood
booster. During physical
activity, your body releases
endorphins, or hormones
that improve your mood.
Mental
Health
Awareness