Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Section 12-4 Strategies for Healthful Personal Development 313 What Contributes to Quality of Life? The following are some of the factors people mention when describing a quality of life: • Good health. Your health and the health of the other members of your family is very important. Remember the last time you were ill. Did you tell yourself “if I can just get better, everything will be okay”? People often do not realize how important their health is until they lose it. • Environmental factors. Clean air and water, a safe neighborhood, and access to recreational facilities are just some of the environmental factors that can impact the quality of your life. • Emotional closeness. To feel you are loved and to feel love for others is important to most people. Without this emotional tie to at least one other person, life may not be as satisfying as it could be. People who feel loved are usually happier, more enthusiastic, healthier, less prone to illness, and generally live longer. • Social ties. Having friends and feeling like a member of a community is part of a fulfi lling life. Those who feel isolated and alone are usually less likely to be satisfi ed with their lives. • Educational opportunities. Everyone has the right to a good education in a safe school environment. Qualifi ed teachers and up-to-date classroom materials allow you to reach any educational goals you set for yourself. A variety of educational opportunities are available after high school. If you choose to pursue these, they can greatly impact the quality of your life in the years to come. • Satisfying work. Wages bring buying power and essential needs, such as nutritious food and health care. A work environment that is free of hazards to your physical and emotional health is also important. Being a productive member of a work group can give you personal satisfaction. You cannot always change the circumstances under which you live. However, you can look for ways you can change your life to bring it closer to the quality you desire. A positive attitude helps. Those who think of their glass as half full will enjoy a better quality of life than those who feel their glass is half empty. Life Skills Setting Personal Health Goals Setting goals can help you achieve and maintain good health. For example, you need to include at least 60 minutes of activity in your daily schedule. (Urge adults in your family to include at least 30 minutes of activity in their schedules.) You do not have to spend 60 minutes all at once. To achieve this goal, you can accumulate a number of 10 to 20-minute segments of activity throughout the day. Talk to your doctor about your personal health goals before making any drastic changes. and Living Living Green Green Reading is a good way to enhance your personal development. The next time you have the impulse to buy a new book to read, borrow it from the library or a friend instead of buying a new copy. Sharing books is a great way to reduce waste and reuse materials.