Everything BAD is GOOD for you

COFFEEWe all know that a cup of coffee helps to wake you up in the morning, but several studies show that drinking coffee helps to prevent some illnesses like diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Experts say that you can safely drink three cups of espresso during the day, but if you drink too much coffee it can make you feel anxious or keep you awake at night.

SUNLIGHTSpending a long time in the sun is dangerous and can give you skin cancer. But on the other hand, not spending enough time in the sun is also bad for you, as sunlight helps us to produce vitamin D. This vitamin is important for strong bones and a healthy immune system, and it also makes people feel happier. Nowadays many people don’t get enough sunlight because they wear sunscreen all the time, especially on their faces. However, don’t spend too long in the sun – 15 minutes a day without sunscreen is a healthy amount, and not a midday.

COMPUTER GAMES You probably worry about how much time you or your children waste playing computer games. But in fact some studies show that these games can help us learn important skills. It seems that computer games stimulate the brain and that people who often play them are probably better solving problems and making quick decisions. But don’t spend too many hours in front of the computer – not more than about two hours a day.

BAD LOSERS?

The hardest lesson to learn in sports is how to lose with dignity, without blaming your defeat on the referees or refusing to shake hands with your opponent. Here are some famous moments when losing was just too hard….

In 1981 at Wimbledon a young John McEnroe was serving. The umpire said that his serve was ˡ____, but McEnroe thought it was²____. He became furious and shouted ‘You CANNOT be serious!’ at the umpire. He also called the umpire ‘ an incompetent fool!’

In the 2003 Athletics World Championship the 100 metres runner, Jon Drummond, was disqualified for a false start. Drummond lay³____ on the track and began to cry. Two hours later his coach told journalists: ‘He’s still crying. We’re making him drink water because he’s becoming dehydrated’.

In the 1982 German Grand Prix Nelson Piquet was winning the race. He was trying to pass Eliseo Salazar (who was last in the race), but Salazar didn’t let him go⁴___ him and Piquet crashed into Salazar. Piquet jumped⁵ _____ his car and started trying to hit and kick Salazar (without much success!).

South Korean footballer Ahn Jung-Hwan scored the goal that sent Italy⁶ ____ the 2002 World Cup when they beat them 2-1. But Jung-Hwan also played for the Italian football club Perugia. After the match the president of the club, Luciano Gaucci, announced that the player’s contract would not be renewed. ‘That gentleman will never set foot in Perugia again.‘Gaucci said. ‘I have no intention of paying a salary to somebody who has ruined Italian football’. Gaucci later apologized, but Ahn Jung-Hwan left the club and never went back to an Italian club.

When England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003 by beating Australia in the last minute of the match. The Australian Prime minister, John Howard, was so angry that in the medals ceremony he almost threw the medals at the English players. His behaviour was described by a journalist as being ‘like an unhappy five-year-old at a birthday party who starts throwing toys around’.

How not to die before you get old

Chiako is active and healthy. She gets up at 7 am every day, takes a brisk 30-minute walk and plays gate-ball with her friends three times a week. There is nothing unusual about this, except that Chiako is 102 years old. She is not alone- there are hundreds of healthy centenarians who lead similar lives in Okinawa.

Okinawa is a group of islands between Japan and Taiwan. Near a beach, there is a large stone with the following words on it: At 70 you are still a child, at 80 you are just a youth, and at 90, if the ancestors invite you into heaven. Ask them to wait until you are 100, and then you might consider it.

Okinawans manage to stay slim in old age by eating a low-calorie diet which consists of three quarters plant food and one quarter animal food. They eat seven servings of fruit and vegetables every day and they stop eating when they are 80% full.

They also keep active by dancing, walking and gardening. In other words, they do the things they enjoy.

Okinawans have developed a stress-resistant personality. Nobody is in a hurry, timetables are non-existent and there is always tomorrow. Hundreds of people, both young and old, go to the beach every day to watch the spectacular sunsets. In Okinawa there is always time to watch the sun set.

As well as large extended families. Okinawans have strong networks of friends. When someone is ill and doesn’t come to work, a neighbour will always knock on their door to find out how they are.

There’s no magic pill. If you have good friends, a healthy diet and a stress-free lifestyle, you will live longer. It’s as simple as that!

Golfing genius

Tiger Woods was born on (1) 30th December 1975 in California, USA, of mixed heritage: he describes himself as (2) ____ black, a quarter Thai, a quarter Chinese, and eighth white and (3) _____ American Indian. His father Earl Woods, named him Tiger after a friend who saved his life in the Vietnam War.

He was only nine months old when he started to play golf and he played his first game at (4) ___ years old. His father was his first teacher.

At the age of eight, he won a tournament and five more before he was (5) ___ . On (6) ___ Tiger Woods made golfing history. He became the (7)___ golfer to win all four majors-the most important tournaments – within the same year.

He is helping to make golf more popular with all ages and levels, and most people agree that he is probably the greatest golfer of all time. Certainly, he is already one of the richest.

He now earns more than (8) $___ a year. He has a $100 million deal with American Express, Buick, Rolex and Wheaties.

What advice would he give prospective parents of golf champions? Don’t force your kids into sports. It has to be fun.

The best advice he ever got? From his dad: Always be yourself.