Fun and Fitness: Exercise keeps the mind fresh
We've been blessed with one of
the mildest Canadian winters of all
time and are now enjoying some
ridiculously nice weather. This
poses a challenge for students
since final assignments and exams
are underway and everyone is
stressed while trying to find time
for outdoors. This is definitely the
time for students to take advantage
of the best medicine for stress and
anxiety - exercise!
Frequent effective exercise is one of the best physical stressreduction techniques available. Exercise not only improves your health and reduces stress caused by unfitness; it also relaxes tense muscles and helps you sleep. Exercise also has a number of other positive benefits.
It improves blood flow to your brain, bringing additional sugars and oxygen that may be needed when you are thinking intensely. When you think hard, the neurons of your brain function more intensely. As they do this, they can build up toxic waste products that can cause foggy thinking (you may have experienced the feeling that your brain has “went into zombie mode”). By exercising, you speed the flow of blood through your brain, moving these waste products faster.
Exercise helps induce the release of chemicals called endorphins into your blood stream. These give you a feeling of happiness and positively affect your overall sense of wellbeing. There is also good evidence physically fit people have less extreme physiological responses when under pressure than those who are not. This means fit people are able to handle the long-term effects of stress without suffering ill health or burnout.
A nice little bonus most people don't realize is the more you focus when studying, the more calories you burn! It won't be enough to turn you into a swimsuit model but it's nice to have the extra incentive as a reward for intense schoolwork.
Above all, it's important to remember exercise should be fun. It is difficult to keep going with an exercise program that you don't enjoy. Make your blood flow in a way you love and take advantage of the early spring weather that God has spoiled us with!
Frequent effective exercise is one of the best physical stressreduction techniques available. Exercise not only improves your health and reduces stress caused by unfitness; it also relaxes tense muscles and helps you sleep. Exercise also has a number of other positive benefits.
It improves blood flow to your brain, bringing additional sugars and oxygen that may be needed when you are thinking intensely. When you think hard, the neurons of your brain function more intensely. As they do this, they can build up toxic waste products that can cause foggy thinking (you may have experienced the feeling that your brain has “went into zombie mode”). By exercising, you speed the flow of blood through your brain, moving these waste products faster.
Exercise helps induce the release of chemicals called endorphins into your blood stream. These give you a feeling of happiness and positively affect your overall sense of wellbeing. There is also good evidence physically fit people have less extreme physiological responses when under pressure than those who are not. This means fit people are able to handle the long-term effects of stress without suffering ill health or burnout.
A nice little bonus most people don't realize is the more you focus when studying, the more calories you burn! It won't be enough to turn you into a swimsuit model but it's nice to have the extra incentive as a reward for intense schoolwork.
Above all, it's important to remember exercise should be fun. It is difficult to keep going with an exercise program that you don't enjoy. Make your blood flow in a way you love and take advantage of the early spring weather that God has spoiled us with!
