Although many people think of health in terms of illness, health is a positive concept that covers your physical, mental and social well-being. Physical activity benefits every aspect of your health. Every single point that we have listed below is a great reason for keeping ourselves and our children active!
Physical Health Benefits:
- Facilitates muscle growth
- Strengthens bones
- Maintains healthy circulation and blood pressure
- Improves heart and lung function
- Improves physical endurance
- Improves posture
- Improves sleeping habits
- Increases energy levels
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
- Promotes positive attitudes about active lifestyle
Motor Skills:
- Develops muscle strength
- Develops flexibility
- Develops balance
- Develops coordination
- Develops proprioception (body awareness in space)
- Develops agility and directionality
- Develops visual tracking skills
- Provide a foundation for more complex movements such as running, jumping, throwing, kicking and climbing
Cognitive skills:
- Increases and strengthens networks between the body and the brain
- Stimulates learning
- Develops communication skills
- Develops memory
- Develops concentration
- Develops creativity
- Develops problem-solving skills
- Develops abstract thought
- Enables expression of ideas
Social skills:
- Encourages cooperation
- Encourages positive social interactions
- Encourages the development of friendships
- Develops leadership
- Provides learning about the consequences of behaviours
Emotional skills:
- Builds self-esteem and self-confidence
- Develops self-control and self-discipline
- Increases feelings of success
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Develops ability to deal with stress
- Decreases aggressive behaviour
- Enables expression of feelings
