Exercise the Body, Strengthen the Mind

Exercise is important for students. I know this isn’t the first time you’ve heard this, and it won’t be the last. But it’s true. Exercising regularly helps your ability to study. Here’s how:

Focus

Everyone’s familiar with the phrase, “Get the blood pumping”. This is very true for your brain. It doesn’t do anything if you don’t give it something to do. When you first try to get started on a task, it takes a while for your brain to get into a high enough gear to focus and accomplish it. But if you do some exercise before hand, the blood is already flowing, and your brain is quicker to pick up on what you need to do.

Health

Your personal health matters, physically and mentally. Your mind can’t function properly if your body wasting away. Take thirty minutes out of your day to do some push ups, squats, or just go for a jog. Bike or walk to places a short distance away. There’s not need to look like a bodybuilder, but the regular exercise will help your mind stay primed and ready.

Energy

When you’re staying up late trying to finish an assignment that’s due the next morning, don’t rely on coffee and sugar. Those will get you on an energy high, and then you’ll crash. Take a few minutes to stretch and do a few low intensity exercises.

Exercise gives you a boost of energy, and as long as you don’t overdo it, you won’t get burnout. Need to be able to function for your morning class after staying up late? Jog to class. If you get there sluggish and sleepy, you’ll stay sluggish and sleepy. But if you force your body to wake up, the jump start will carry you. Just get some sleep afterwards.

Memory

Exercising also helps your brain’s ability to retain information. Studying for a test? Get a quick ten to fifteen minute workout, then hit the books. Attempting to study by sitting perfectly still and focused will burn you out. Give your eyes a break and let exercises revitalize you. When you’re sitting at your desk taking the test, your mind will reward you.