Health, Healthy habits and sports (3)

Topic
Health, Healthy habits and sports
Health is a state of physical , mental and social well-being. A truly healthy person not only feels good physically but also has a realistic outlook on life and gets along well with other people. Good health enables people to enjoy life and to achieve the goals they have set for themselves.
To achieve and maintain good health, people must have basic knowledge about the human body and how it functions . Therefore, learning about health should be a part of every person’s education.
All parts of body must work together properly to maintain physical health. A person who is in good physical condition has the strength and energy to enjoy an active life. Physical fitness benefits both physical and mental health. It helps the body to withstand stresses that otherwise could cause physical and emotional problems. Daily exercise provides greatest benefits, and so it is important to choose exercises that can be performed every day. Such popular activities are bicycling, jogging, swimming and even taking long walks.
Rest and sleep help overcome fatigue and restore energy to the body. Everyone needs rest and health, but the amount required differs from each individual.
Rest and relaxation are as important as sleep. After hard work or exercise, a person may need a period of total rest. At other times, only relaxation or a change of pace is necessary . Any activity that differs from the normal routine of work or study can be relaxing.
Handling stress is essential for avoiding both mental and physical illness . Feelings of stress are the body’s response to any threatening or unfamiliar situation. Stress can occur even in pleasant situations, such as watching a football game. If not handled properly, stress can lead to physical and emotional illness. No one can avoid stress, but a person can lessen the danger of becoming ill from it. Everyone should learn to relax by resting, taking a walk, meditating.
Sports are organized athletic activities played individually or in teams. Men and women , boys and girls can play most sports. Sports provide entertainment for people throughout the world. Large crowds attend sporting events in person. Millions of fans also follow their favorite teams and athletes by listening to live accounts of games on radio or watching sports competitions on television. Sports are divided into amateur and professional sports. The most popular sports in the world are track and field , football, basketball, boxing, volleyball and swimming.
The sports have changed greatly since the mid 1900’s. Performances once thought to be impossible are common today. There are a number of reasons for this remarkable progress in athletics. They include increased competitions, especially in Europe, as well as improved training methods, equipment and techniques.
The Olympic Games is an international multi- sport event subdivided into summer and winter games. The Olympic Games bring together thousands of the world’s finest athletes to compete against one another . No other sports event attracts so much attention . Several million people attend the games, and hundreds of millions throughout the world watch them on television. The first recorded Olympic contest took place in the Stadium of Olympia in 776 BC. For many years the Olympics were for male contestants and for male spectators only. The only event in the first 13 Olympics was a footrace of about 180 meters. At the ancient Games, the winners were presented with a simple olive tree branch, which was cut with a gold-handled knife from a wild olive tree. At the modern Games, Olympic medals are presented to the winning athletes. The Olympic motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius, which means Faster, Higher , Braver.
Summer Games are held in a major city, and the Winter Games in a winter resort. The Summer Games and the Winter Games are scheduled to occur on four -year cycles, two years apart. The Summer Games are held in various months and draw as many as million spectators during the 16 days of competition. A sport must be popular in at least 75 countries on four continents before it can be considered for the Summer Games in men’s sports and in 10 countries on three continents in women’s sports. The Winter Games are held in January or February . A sport must be widely practiced in at least 25 countries on three continents to be considered for the Winter Games. For many years Finland , Norway and Sweden had the best athletes in the Winter Games. No Games were held during the World War I and II.
Colourful ceremonies combine with athletic competition to create the special feeling of excitement that surrounds the Olympics. The opening ceremony is particularly impressive. The athletes of Greece march into the stadium first in honor of the original Olympics held in ancient Greece. The other athletes follow in alphabetical order . The athletes of the host country enter last.
The head of state of the host country declares the Games opened. The Olympic flag is raised, as the Olympic anthem is played. Hundreds of doves are released into the air as a symbol of peace. The most dramatic moment of the opening ceremony is the lightning of the Olympic Flame.