emotional intelligence
1. Why Bone Density Matters As we grow older, our bones lose minerals like calcium and become thinner and more fragile—a condition referred to as osteopenia or, in more severe varieties, osteoporosis. That's why older individuals tend to fracture from a minor fall. Bone density is like the savings aRead more
1. Why Bone Density Matters
As we grow older, our bones lose minerals like calcium and become thinner and more fragile—a condition referred to as osteopenia or, in more severe varieties, osteoporosis. That’s why older individuals tend to fracture from a minor fall. Bone density is like the savings account in your body—the more you build up early and maintain later, the better fortified you are against age-related erosion.
2. Exercise and Bone Strength
Exercise is not just for the muscles or your cardiovascular system, but also has a significant impact on the strength of your bones. When you exercise, especially in weight-bearing or resistance-type exercise, your bones are subjected to a gentle, healthy amount of stress. Your body gets a signal to deposit more minerals in the bone as a result, essentially “strengthening the walls” to help keep your bones strong.
3. Exercises That Help
Not all exercises affect bone density in the same way. Here’s why:
Weight-bearing exercises (like walking, jogging, hiking, or dancing) rely on gravity to create gentle tension on your bones to maintain strength.
Resistance Training (weight lifting or bodyweight exercises like squats and push-ups) adds extra load on bones, stimulating even more growth and strength.
Balance & Flexibility Exercises (yoga, tai chi, Pilates) do not build bones directly stronger but reduce the risk of falling, and that’s equally important in avoiding fractures.
4. Hormones and Aging: Why It Matters More Over Time
For women, bone loss accelerates after menopause due to lowered levels of estrogen. In men, lowered testosterone also plays a role, but at a slower rate. Exercise can’t even stop such natural changes from occurring, but it decelerates them significantly, keeping bones denser for a greater length of time.
5. Exercise as Fracture Insurance
Healthy bones are just half the story. Exercise also tightens muscles, enhances balance, and increases coordination. That means you’re less likely to lose your footing or take a tumble in the first place—and if you do lose your footing, healthier bones are more likely to absorb the shock.
6. How Much Exercise Is Enough?
Idea experts say:
- 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (such as brisk walking)
- 2–3 strength-training sessions per week targeting major muscle groups
- Some combination of balance and flexibility exercises at least twice a week
- Consistency outweighs intensity—small, frequent efforts pay off in the long run.
7. An Ongoing Investment
Think of exercise to build bone strength like watering a tree. If you keep doing it regularly, it grows deep roots and sturdy branches to withstand a storm. If you leave it, the roots rot over the years. It’s good to build bone strength when you’re still young, but to continue exercising when you’re an older adult is what makes it last.
In summary, Exercise keeps bones dense, strong, and more resistant to breaks as we age. Resistance and weight-bearing exercise is the “best medicine” for bones, and balance training prevents falls. It’s one of the simplest, most natural ways of taking care of your skeleton well into old age.
See less
Why Emotional Intelligence is Important in School When we envision schools, we tend to think of math equations, history class, and science projects. However, life demands greater than book smarts—it requires empathy, resilience, and teamwork. This is where emotional intelligence (EQ) comes in. It'sRead more
Why Emotional Intelligence is Important in School
When we envision schools, we tend to think of math equations, history class, and science projects. However, life demands greater than book smarts—it requires empathy, resilience, and teamwork. This is where emotional intelligence (EQ) comes in. It’s not about “being nice” or “managing emotions.” It’s about learning about yourself, relating to others, and conquering challenges with balance.
Beyond Academics: Ready for Real Life
Grades and test scores can provide entry, but EQ is what allows students to successfully walk through the doors. A child who is able to deal with stress leading up to a test, settle arguments with friends, or persevere in the face of adversity has a career and life advantage. Employers need teamwork, flexibility, and communication skills just as much as technical know-how—all of which are derived from emotional intelligence.
How Schools Can Teach EQ
The attractiveness of EQ is that it doesn’t have to be learned as a “standalone subject.” It can be interspersed naturally throughout school life.
Group tasks can learn teamwork and conflict resolution.
Classroom debates can foster empathy by inviting students to look at different sides.
Mindfulness or reflection tasks can assist children in regulating stress and building self-knowledge.
Even routine everyday habits, such as teachers role-playing empathy or complimenting effort rather than merely achievement, can build EQ in students.
The Connection Between EQ and School Achievement
Surprisingly, emotional intelligence does not conflict with academics—it actually bolsters it. Research indicates that students with high EQ can concentrate better, control anxiety, and rebound from errors. That makes them more likely to succeed in school as well. In short, EQ provides the foundation for both personal happiness and academic success.
Building Compassionate Citizens
Ultimately, education isn’t merely about making future employees—it’s about making reflective, empathetic, and conscientious human beings. When schools make EQ their priority, they raise children who are not only intelligent but also caring, strong, and equipped to deal with life’s twists and turns.
Briefly, emotional intelligence must be treated as a central part of the curriculum, not an add-on. It gives kids the tools they’ll apply years later when they’ve long forgotten algebra equations or dates in history—to succeed at work, in relationships, in society.
See less