314 Chapter 12 Health and Fitness
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
What Roadblocks Might Lie Ahead?
As you strive to achieve the quality of life you desire, there will be
roadblocks along the way. These may interfere with the quality of your
life. There may be temporary setbacks that can be overcome with hard
work. Some people will be challenged to do so, whereas others may give
up altogether.
Some roadblocks may be permanent obstacles. If such a roadblock
occurs, you must fi nd a way to cope with the situation. No matter what
the obstacle, you can fi nd a way to bring quality and meaning to your life.
The roadblocks typically encountered are usually the opposite of
those factors that make for a quality life. For example, poor health can
present special challenges. If you or someone close to you is injured or
develops a major health problem, it will signifi cantly impact your life.
You may be challenged in new ways to live a normal life.
The abuse of alcohol or other drugs can be a roadblock. Such abuse can
interfere with personal relationships, educational goals, and employability.
Drug addictions, which lead to physical dependence on a drug, can seriously
interfere with people’s lives. Other types of addictions can also occur,
such as addictions to gambling. These can be as diffi cult to overcome and
as destructive of people’s lives as physical addictions.
Emotional closeness may be diffi cult to attain if you lack self-esteem.
If you have not learned to love yourself, it may be diffi cult for you to love
someone else. Your challenge will be to fi nd ways to improve your self-
esteem in order to overcome this roadblock. Emotional dependencies can
also leave people feeling unable to control their destinies. These feelings
of inadequacy can lead to severe depression.
Stress in the workplace can be a debilitating factor for some
people, 12-5. Such stress can be caused by work that is too demanding,
keeping people away from family and friends. Working extremely long
hours and spending days and even weeks away from home can make
it diffi cult to have a normal family life. A threatening psychological
environment or sexual harassment can also create an intolerable work
situation. Another work situation that can create roadblocks is a low-
paying job that makes it diffi cult to meet living expenses. The stress of
living from paycheck to paycheck can impact many aspects of a person’s
life. The prospect of unemployment is also a possibility.
Violence or the threat of violence is another potential roadblock.
Anyone who lives in fear for his or her health and safety cannot live a
satisfying life. Violence can occur on the street or within the home. It
can be gang violence or violence within the family, such as spouse or
child abuse. Just the threat of violence can create an intolerable situation.
Those who live with such threats cannot move forward with their lives
until the threats to their safety are removed.
21st
Century
Skills
Flexibility. Fiona is in a
stressful career. She fi nds
that being fl exible and having
a balanced life can help to
relieve some of the stress.