Exercise Benefits For Students

Did you know that just 24.2 percent of adults meet the physical activity guidelines set by the CDC?

With so much to gain through regular exercise, it's important to understand the impact it can have on your life and your body — especially when you're a student. When you spend long hours at your desk or in the library, it's important to balance it all out with physical activity.

There's a lot more you should know, though. Read on to learn about some of the best exercise benefits for students.

Cope With Stress

As a student, you face an enormous amount of stress throughout your day to day. Whether it's a heavy workload, tests, or a full-time job on top of a full-time class load, there are a number of things that can cause stress to build up in your body.

With too much, physical symptoms can start to appear and you'll feel fatigued or even sick.

With exercise, you'll have more energy and will likely even feel more socially active. Your mind clears up and you may find it a lot easier to get your work done throughout the day. This can help your grades, relationships, and even your confidence in maintaining both.

Improve Your Mental Health

Exercise can't cure depression or anxiety, but it can help abate the symptoms. Your mental health benefits from regular exercise. It's great to get out of the house and away from the stress of your studies when it's possible — especially if you can spend time in nature while doing so.

Taking the time to heal your mind and body after stressful projects or exams is important, and physical movement can help in those efforts.

Depression

Did you know aerobic exercise can have a positive impact on depression symptoms?

When you exercise, your brain can produce more endorphins and dopamine, both of which help your body feel good and energized. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week to achieve the best effects. Not only will your body thank you, but your attention span might even get a boost.

Anxiety and Panic Disorders

Feeling anxiety in some instances is normal, as it's your body's natural response to threats. However, if you're always feeling anxious — even when no threat is visible — that could mean an anxiety disorder. In some cases, that anxiety can become so intense that it bubbles over into a panic attack, and that's not uncommon among college students.

In fact, up to 44 percent of college students have reported feeling depressed or anxious at some point. Aerobic exercise can help alleviate those feelings, though. It can also help rebuild your confidence.

Exercise helps to reroute certain neural circuits, alleviate muscle tension, and even teaches new outcomes to certain situations.

So, if you've always had anxiety about running but you work to show your body that it isn't bad, eventually that trigger can loosen its grip and you may find yourself enjoying it. That's easier said than done, but working up to that moment slowly can have a huge impact on your body's overall well-being.

ADHD

If you've been diagnosed with ADHD, you understand how excruciating studying for long periods of time can feel.

Sitting in the library or at a desk for hours on end, facing forward, and staying quiet can be difficult, but some forms of structured exercise can help students focus more. This means regimens like martial arts, gymnastics, or even yoga.

Don't Neglect Getting Help

That being said, if you experience symptoms of any of these mental disorders, don't be afraid to reach out for help. Exercising regularly can help alleviate some of those feelings, but talking to a professional or getting a prescription if you need it is also essential.

Challenging the brain both mentally and physically can be rewarding, but so can talking to a professional during your college career. Taking regular breaks for both exercise and rest is also important.

Balance is key to any successful venture, and it's important to not push yourself if you don't feel like it. Exercise can alleviate anxiety, but if it's something you experience anxiety with and don't feel like doing it on a certain day, that's OK, too.

Create a Routine

Starting an exercise regimen can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be impossible. Just as you schedule self-study and write out your class schedule, blocking out time for exercise can make it feel less overwhelming to fit into your already busy schedule.

Even if it's only two or three times a week, getting out of your room and moving your body can make a huge impact on your mental and physical well-being. If you're busy, you can even grab a yoga mat or a towel and exercise in your home.

The time you work out will depend on your schedule, but getting it done first thing in the morning is always a great idea. If you're a night owl, though, the evening works just as well. If you live in a warm area and are going outside, just be sure to avoid the hottest parts of the day.

Don't Underestimate These Exercise Benefits for Students

When it comes to the exercise benefits for students, these few are nothing to be ignored. Whether you're wanting to lose weight or clear your mind for future classes, they're all great reasons to update your routine. The best part about starting a workout routine is that it doesn't have to cost anything, all you need is your body and some creativity!

If you're looking for a school to call your own, we can help. Contact us today to learn more.