The story of the Olympic athlete who tried and failed to keep abreast of a toddler as it crawled, rolled and toddled about a room is well known. It illustrates how important activity is in the formative years. Stamina, strength and muscle development are developed naturally in the course of play activity. Active adults who enjoy their exercise are often harking back to this halcyon days of their life when movement came with the ease of water flowing.
Habits acquired in childhood tend to persist in one way or another throughout life. When society was predominantly rural rather than urban, before the advent of television, children played outside and were often required to complete chores. They were naturally active and activity left its stamp on their ways of life. With the advent of TV and urban lifestyles, activity became less integrated into the pattern of life.
Games are important for children because skills that are learned can stand a person in good stead for much of a lifetime. For example a game like tennis may be enjoyed from childhood until and advanced age and actually form an important element in a lifespan. For those who have not enjoyed an education in games it is important to cultivate some skills and pleasures in adulthood.
Exercise is actually a drug. Endorphins released into the bloodstream are habit forming and seasoned athletes do have withdrawal symptoms if unable to complete their daily dose. Like other drugs exercise can be beneficial or detrimental. Sports injuries and even heart attacks can occur, especially if it is overdone, and if an individual has previously lived a sedentary lifestyle.
There is no doubt that the many beneficial effects of exercise outweigh any ill effects. Exercise counteracts the dangerous consequences of sedentary lifestyles, in respect of heart ailments, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. For diabetics an hour or two of simply walking can bring blood sugar levels down from dangerously high levels to normal.
An active life does not depend on physical exercise. In many retirement communities a range of activities are available. Some may engage in bridge, others in playing chess, singing or instrumental music. Art classes are often popular and highly successful Retirement communities can allow friendships to form that were perhaps not possible in previous eras when older people stayed with their families and were confined to a narrow circle of known friends.
Aging populations are a feature of the twenty-first century. This may be due to improved health care systems but if life drags on for depressed and vegetating people there is no great advantage in living to a hundred years. However, active adults tend to be merry, useful and healthy. Living in communities with others of similar age and interests they may enjoy decades of zestful and useful living.
Habits acquired in childhood tend to persist in one way or another throughout life. When society was predominantly rural rather than urban, before the advent of television, children played outside and were often required to complete chores. They were naturally active and activity left its stamp on their ways of life. With the advent of TV and urban lifestyles, activity became less integrated into the pattern of life.
Games are important for children because skills that are learned can stand a person in good stead for much of a lifetime. For example a game like tennis may be enjoyed from childhood until and advanced age and actually form an important element in a lifespan. For those who have not enjoyed an education in games it is important to cultivate some skills and pleasures in adulthood.
Exercise is actually a drug. Endorphins released into the bloodstream are habit forming and seasoned athletes do have withdrawal symptoms if unable to complete their daily dose. Like other drugs exercise can be beneficial or detrimental. Sports injuries and even heart attacks can occur, especially if it is overdone, and if an individual has previously lived a sedentary lifestyle.
There is no doubt that the many beneficial effects of exercise outweigh any ill effects. Exercise counteracts the dangerous consequences of sedentary lifestyles, in respect of heart ailments, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. For diabetics an hour or two of simply walking can bring blood sugar levels down from dangerously high levels to normal.
An active life does not depend on physical exercise. In many retirement communities a range of activities are available. Some may engage in bridge, others in playing chess, singing or instrumental music. Art classes are often popular and highly successful Retirement communities can allow friendships to form that were perhaps not possible in previous eras when older people stayed with their families and were confined to a narrow circle of known friends.
Aging populations are a feature of the twenty-first century. This may be due to improved health care systems but if life drags on for depressed and vegetating people there is no great advantage in living to a hundred years. However, active adults tend to be merry, useful and healthy. Living in communities with others of similar age and interests they may enjoy decades of zestful and useful living.
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