Health matters
It has the power to influence a person’s life expectancy, happiness and academic attainment. Here at Westhoughton high school we recognise its importance and are making a commitment to improve the health of the young people we work with.
To improve the health, habits and happiness of our community, we have founded the Westhoughton gets Healthy initiative. We are so proud to be equipping students and staff alike with the education and opportunities they need to achieve healthier, more active lifestyles that will vastly improve lives for years to come.
In realising the importance of developing the community’s health, Westhoughton high school identifies how sport and competition can play a crucial role in engaging young people in living a healthy lifestyle.
Remaining physically active can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. It can also give you more energy, make you feel good about yourself and really improve your quality of life.
Remaining physically active can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. It can also give you more energy, make you feel good about yourself and really improve your quality of life.
Why Exercise
The effects of lack of exercise
There are many possible negative effects because of not doing enough physical activity. These include heart disease and high blood pressure due to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, poor mental health and decreased social interactions to name but a few.
Decreased amounts of physical exercise can also lead to weaker bones and increased risk of injury, leading to time off school and poorer attainment.
According to the government website physical inactivity is responsible for 1 In 6 UK deaths.
The benefits of physical activity
Physical activity increases our metabolism, allowing us to manage weight better.
If we get enough physical activity, we will experience better mental health including reduced anxiety due to the release of endorphins (the feel-good hormone).
Those of us who get enough physical activity will experience better sleep, leading to further improved feelings of mental wellbeing, as well as an ability to retain information more effectively.
The benefits of hydration
Staying hydrated will help you be successful at school. Your brain needs to be properly hydrated to function properly. The cells in this organ need a precise balance of water and other elements to work the way they should.
The importance of hydration
Our bodies are made up of about 60% water.
You should aim to drink 6-8 large glasses of water a day in order to maintain this balance.
Drinking water is crucial to staying healthy and maintaining the function of every system in your body, including your heart, brain and muscles.
Choose the healthy option
Take the stairs instead of the lift, walk or cycle to school with an adult instead of going by car, walk the dog or walk with friends.
We thought it would be a good idea to explore some simple tips.
- Plan exercise into your day.
- Try signing up for an extracurricular club at school or exploring the wide range of sporting clubs/ physical activity classes in your local community.
- Find something you enjoy! You may need to try lots of different activities, but there is something enjoyable out there for everybody.
- Exercise with a friend or family member.
- See below for links to fun workouts and fitness challenges, as well as a range of clubs available to you in your local area
Follow this link to all the different sports teams you can join in Bolton.
Exercise plans and membership
Here you can find week-by-week exercise plans, programmed by joe Wicks that you can do at home or in Westhoughton high schools gym.
Westhoughton high school Gym membership
Take a look at our Extra Curricular PE timetable for the term here
