By James Logan Healthy Eagle reporters | Editor’s note: Health experts say that kids should spend at least one hour a day being active. That can involve any activity, from walking to school to playing basketball. 

Did you know that only 25 percent of kids are meeting the one-hour goal each day? That’s what the American Heart Association says. Research has shown that more kids are spending time on smart phones and computers. Members of the Healthy Eagle reporting staff explained that physical activity helps them feel better in many ways. 

“I like to stay active by running because I feel happy when I do it,” Sebastian Maddo said. “Staying active can help you feel happy and relaxed.” 

“When I am stressed out, I go outside and touch a little bit of grass, play football or soccer,” Zachary Scruggs said. “After I play for a bit, I will make sure I drink a lot of water and eat a healthy snack.” 

Here are some additional reflections from fourth-grade reporters who were asked to complete the sentence “Staying active makes me feel …”

• Energetic, because I get to move around. It makes me feel happy because I get to work out and get to go outside. 
• Calm, because it helps me have more energy to play. 
• Good and relaxed. I like to run every day so I can get stronger and faster.
• Happy and energetic. My goal is to stay fit and strong. To stay active, I go outside to have some fun. 

You might be wondering what you can do. “Advice I would give someone who is just starting out to stay active is to start with some daily walks,” one reporter said. “Do the activity when you have time.”

Illustration by a James Logan E.S. reporter.