Physical Education As A Compulsory Subject

Physical Fitness can be defined as the human body’s healthiest state. Physical education is characterized by a planned sequential curriculum and instructional content designed to promote fitness and activity while developing knowledge, motor skills, and attitudes. Starting from an individual’s early childhood, caregivers and teachers introduce them to various physical activities, aka ‘games’. And when the weight of performing well in every other subject grows over their shoulders, they forget to play at all.

In many countries, introducing Physical Education as a compulsory subject will demand few legal steps by the educational authority of that country. And this will ensure that children will never have to drop the idea of indulging in sports activities. In other words, there is a great scope that the population of that country will not live a sedentary lifestyle. To understand its importance, here are some strong aspects of ‘not’ taking health seriously. Because then it’ll be easier to acknowledge the brighter side of having Physical Education as a compulsory subject in the academic curriculum.

A healthy mind stays in a healthy body

There could be several causes of mental illness such as depression, anxiety, hallucinations, disorders, reduced sleep, etc. However, lack of body movement is a serious cause lingering. Yet, a person’s entire identity revolves around how they present themselves to their peers. This is another major issue that is being highlighted for causing distress and anxiety among teens.

Instead of scrolling down till the last post in their Instagram/Facebook feed, they could be motivated to practice yoga or some other exercise. That’s where the schools and colleges can play a crucial role by simply giving them the practical assignments or by conducting competitions now and then. Young minds look for validation, entertainment, acceptance on these social platforms. Therefore, they must get the same hit from playing sports and finally, an unbiased opportunity to boost their confidence offline.

Life as an obese

Apart from genetic influence and low metabolism rates, Obesity is the result of a lack of body movement. Nowadays, people believe in body positivity, which means acceptance of all shapes and sizes. Though there is nothing wrong with promoting this idea, some people build the wrong understanding of this. A person can look fat and still have low weight when measured, which means that he/she needs to add a workout to their routine. Not to look slim and thin, but to have higher energy levels, increased strength, and balanced weight which goes well along with their appearance.

People must understand that obesity takes away joy in many ways. After all, it’s not about how you look but how you feel internally.

A sedentary lifestyle costs more than just money

Creating a healthy lifestyle seems to be about having self-discipline, changing eating habits, making time for workouts, etc. And to our millennials, all this takes too much of their efforts. However, it is time that our coming generation realizes that a sedentary lifestyle is more expensive in terms of health complications, junk food, medications, and other unhealthy habits. All this eventually leads to more expenditure sooner or later.

All this and more must encourage schools and families to let children study Physical Education throughout their growing years. If the sport becomes a hobby, the student would engage in it more often. The student can discover which kind of sport they enjoy playing, develop an interest/passion for the sport and make it their career as well.

Lastly, PE is not something that should be forced upon the students. Rather, it is just like any other important subject which children should be indulged in for their long-term health benefits and brain development.