In our recent science lessons, we’ve dived into some topics about how our bodies work, how food impacts our health, and how exercise helps keep us strong and healthy.
What We Eat: Food to Eat Sometimes vs. Food to Eat Often
Our first lesson focused on the importance of making healthy food choices. We learned about foods that we should eat often, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and foods that we should eat only sometimes, such as sweets and processed snacks. Eating a balanced diet helps provide our bodies with the energy and nutrients we need to feel good and stay active.
To make sure we’re getting a balanced diet, we planned a meal with a variety of food groups. We included vegetables, protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates—each playing a role in keeping us healthy.
Heart Health: How Exercise Affects Our Heart Rate
In our next lesson, we conducted an experiment to measure how exercise impacts our heart rate. We began by counting our resting heartbeats (how many beats our hearts make in a minute while we’re at rest). Then, we performed different exercises, like running, squatting, and stretching, and measured how each one affected our heart rate.
Here’s what we found:
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Running and Squatting: These exercises made our heartbeats increase the most, likely because they use more muscles and require more energy.
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Stretching: While stretching also made our heart rate go up, it was the least intense of the exercises. But interestingly, even though it was less intense, stretching still increased our heartbeats more than our resting heart rate.
We were surprised to find that for some of us, squatting caused a higher heart rate than running! This shows just how different exercises can have different effects on our bodies.
Three Things You Can Do at Home to Stay Healthy:
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Go for a Walk or Run: Walking or running is a great way to get your heart rate up and improve your cardiovascular health. You can start with short walks and work your way up to longer runs as you feel more confident.
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Try Squatting or Jumping Jacks: These exercises help build strength in your legs and core. You can try doing squats or jumping jacks for a few minutes each day, and you’ll start to feel stronger in no time!
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Stretch Daily: Stretching is a gentle way to keep your muscles flexible and your heart rate up. You can stretch in the morning or before bed—just make sure to hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds to get the full benefit.
By paying attention to what we eat and how much we move, we can take charge of our health and feel our best. So, start practicing these tips at home, and watch how your body and mind grow stronger and happier every day!