8. a. flexibility exercise
9. d. Aerobic exercise
10. c. Smoking
11. c. do one chore at a time
12. c. It affects the brain, liver, and heart
13. d. Legal drugs
Explanation:
8. Flexibility exercise refers to a type of exercise that increases the ability to move each joint through a wide range of motion. Flexibility exercises include: standing hamstring stretch, side bend stretch, knee to chest stretch, etc.
Flexibility exercises are important to incorporate in a physical exercise routine as they have several benefits including: reduced rates of muscular injury, quicker muscular recovery, improved posture and balance, better sleep and lowered stress. Flexibility exercises can be performed at home without any equipment, therefore making it easily accessible on a regular basis. Additionally, yoga classes also comprise several flexibility stretches and exercises.
9. Aerobic exercise which is synonymous with cardiovascular exercise, refers to any type of exercise that stimulates the functioning of the heart and lungs (cardiovascular system). Aerobic exercise increases the flow of oxygenated blood throughout the body as it increases the rate of respiration and makes the hear beat faster. Examples of aerobic exercise include: brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and dancing.
Aerobic exercises can be easily incorporated into one's day-to-day activities, and they do not necessarily require any equipment.
10. Smoking is a source of physical stress as it puts physical strain on the body by:
Causing lung damage
Increasing blood pressure
Weakening the immune system
Constricting blood vessels
Increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke
Increasing the risk of cancer
The other options are not sources of physical stress, as they do not physically affect the body. Boredom, job dissatisfaction and unhappy marriage are emotional, psychological and social sources of stress, that do not directly cause physical stress to the body as smoking does.
11. Doing one chore at a time can reduce stress. As our lives can operate at a busy if not frantic pace, in order to reduce stress levels that come with several tasks and activities, it is better to focus on one task at a time.
Taking on multiple responsibilities simultaneously or multi-tasking can lead to increased stress levels and deteriorated performance of activities, and should therefore be avoided.
Options b. and d. are incorrect as they promote taking on too many commitments that can be overwhelming. Option a. can be helpful to reduce stress, however, it is not always possible to limit commitments. The better alternative is therefore option c. do one chore at a time.
12. Alcohol affects the brain, liver and heart as follows:
i) Brain- In the short-term, alcohol affects the brain by causing deteriorated memory, impaired judgement and decision making, dizziness, impulsiveness and slower reaction time. In the long-term, heavy or chronic consumption of alcohol can lead to poor attention-span, memory loss, reduced gray and white matter in the brain, deteriorated functioning of neurons and neurotransmitters in the brain, etc.
ii) Liver- Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to damage of the liver cells, cirrhosis or scarring of the liver, fatty liver disease, and even liver cancer.
iii) Heart- Alcohol consumption can affect the heart by causing irregular heart beat, increasing blood pressure, weakening the cardiac muscles and increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
13. Doctors prescribe legal drugs.
Legal drugs or medications are prescribed by doctors to help their patients manage or cure acute and chronic illnesses. Doctors are required by the law to prescribe legal drugs only, which can range from legal painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, to hormonal pills for birth control, and metformin for type 2 diabetes. Doctors cannot prescribe illegal drugs, alcohol or cigarettes to patients as it is illegal and harmful for their patients' health.
