9781422286951

Research Project This chapter mentions that physical and mental health are of- ten tied together. Do some more research into how the body and mind are connected and how they affect each other. Some topics you might consider include the placebo effect, depression, or the effect of stress on health. Write a short report about your findings.

being a counselor, your body might feel pretty tired. If your core is strong, you won’t have to worry about chronic pain or injuries. But if you have a weak core, you’ll probably find your summer is a lot harder than you thought it was going to be. One of the big reasons core workouts keep you from getting injuries is because they strengthen the back. Back pain and injuries are some of the most common complaints, and can keep you sedentary instead of doing what you love. Core workouts do a lot to strengthen back muscles, and they also make sure that the muscles in the front of your core are strong and are doing their share of the work. Weak front core muscles translate into making your back work overtime, which can end in pain and injury. In fact, doctors and physical therapists often rec- ommend core exercises for people who suffer from back pain. AGING WELL You might not care so much now, but core workouts can really help you age well. As people age, their muscles, bones, and more tend to get weaker. Like anything else, bodies can start to not work as well the longer we use them.

Core Workouts

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