With all of the state play-offs taking place, it is evident that young people love to play sports, parents love to support their children’s extracurricular activities, and coaches love to inspire and motivate players to learn and share in teambuilding events.

Playing sports at any age enhances physical fitness and promotes wellness and good health.

Strangely, for many years now, it seems that the life expectancy goal has increased. For the most part, this is due to individuals being aware of the significance of living a healthy lifestyle. Unhealthy years include those that are filled with illness, impaired functions, or a state of obesity. Unfortunately, an unhealthy lifestyle contributes to a reduced quality of life. Therefore, living a healthy lifestyle is important not only as a young child, but particularly as an adult.

Even though health can vary drastically in regard to different ethnicities, incomes, gender, and age, the adoption of a healthy choice of living can improve self-perceptions for any gender or age. Wellness is not ultimately a means of engaging in particular products or services. Being well or fit entails knowing when to work hard and when to relax. Those who seek to be healthy understand that health-related physical fitness is relevant to body composition, cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility and endurance. Consequently, being physically fit can actually prove essential to the prevention of certain diseases and illnesses.

Predominantly, young people tend to think they do not have to worry about their health until they become older. Yet, focusing on one’s health at an early age can keep a person from having to treat certain symptoms that could have been avoided if smart choices had been made at an earlier date. Those who are health-conscious sometimes choose to analyze their lifestyle behaviors by completing a self-assessment, even if it is only performed on a mental level.

Questions one might ask if assessing their personal wellness are:

r Do I regularly participate in vigorous activity that elevates my heart rate?

r Do I exercise to boost flexibility and muscle strength at least three times a week?

r Do I restrict the amount of fat consumed in a day?

r Do I smoke or drink alcoholic beverages excessively?

r Do I get ample hours of sleep and regular exams?

Those who do choose healthier habits portray a more positive self-perception. They often appear happy and less stressed.

Wellness is directly related to the emotional-mental, intellectual, physical, social, spiritual and comprehensive nature of children and adults alike.

For the most part, feeling healthy not only improves your appearance and attitude; it can actually increase the quality of life you live for many years.

Dr. Sonya Rogers is a certified counselor who lives in Daphne.

Her column regularly appears in The Bulletin.