Benefits of Being Active

benefits of being active

Benefits of Being Active
How much physical activity should children and young people aged 5 to 18 do to keep healthy?
Children and young people need to do 2 types of physical activity each week:
• aerobic exercise.
• exercises to strengthen their muscles and bones.

Children and young people aged 5 to 18 should:

• aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity a day across the week.
• take part in a variety of types and intensities of physical activity across the week to develop movement skills, muscles and bones.
• reduce the time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity. Aim to spread activity throughout the day.

Mental and psychological benefits
We often think that exercise just benefits your body, but it also has many benefits for your mind:
• raises your confidence and self-esteem
• helps your brain work better, so you can learn and remember more
• helps you cope better with the feeling of being out of breath
• reduces anxiety and depression
• creates new social opportunities, so you can get out of the house and meet people

Physical benefits
Being active has lots of physical benefits:
• improves the strength of your breathing muscles, heart and circulation. This helps you use oxygen more efficiently, so you don’t get so breathless
• better muscle strength in every part of your body
• improves bone strength
• helps you resist infections
• helps you maintain a healthy weight
• improves flexibility and joint mobility
• higher energy levels
• better sleep
• lower stress levels and blood pressure
• lower risk of falling (by improving your balance)
• reduces your risk of developing other health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis, dementia and some cancers

Importance of Social Relationships

Importance of Social Relationships

Importance of Social Relationships

Importance of Social Relationships

Relationships are incredibly important at any age. As humans, social interaction is essential to every aspect of our health. We are social beings. Stable relationships with friends and families are especially important for young people as they can influence physical health, promote self-esteem, a sense of belonging and help develop new skills.
There are many benefits of maintaining and developing new social relationships (making new friends).
These include –
• Learning new skills
• Problem solving and decision making.
• Creative and critical thinking.
• Collaboration, communication and negotiation.
• Researching and evaluating information.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Opportunities
• Increases social networks.
• Builds employment and career networks.
• Increases aspirations.
• Gives sense of purpose and value.
• Contributes to ongoing community participation.
• Knowledge
• Improves engagement in learning and academic achievement.
• Strengthens understanding of local history.
• Increases knowledge of community issues and cultures.
• Builds social awareness and responsibility.
• Increases empathy and respect for older people’s experiences and achievements.
• Health and wellbeing
• Improves physical and mental health.
• Gives a sense of belonging.
• Builds resilience, optimism, positivity and enjoyment of life.
• Increases access to trusted adults.
• Diverts from violence, anti-social and risk-taking behaviour.

Importance of Social Relationships