STRENGTH IN STUDENTS
WORK NOW,
PLAY LATER
As we find ourselves transitioning from teens into young adults, we often forget to think about the physical changes happening with our bodies. Our physical health is one of the main controls that we have for ourselves and we need to be sure to learn about what changes will continue to happen as we grow older.
Long Term Benefits
If you're often debating if you should prioritize your mental health or physical health, why not focus on both at the same time? Many studies show that as you care for your physical well-being, the mind follows.
FOCUS
Focusing on your physical health when you're younger will help you boost your work productivity and keep your mind focused.
ELEVATED MOODS
Exercise has been positively correlated with improved your sleep patterns which ultimately helps ease anxiety as well as soothe larger health problems in the future.
INCREASED ENERGY & MEMORY
Exercise helps refresh brain energy as well as sharpening cognitive thinking. Exercise also helps increase the number of brain cells to help the retention of memories.
Does the intensity of the workout matter?
The intensity of the workout you participate in can give you more beneficial long term benefits. The American Heart Association stated that in order to see optimal health benefits in the future, your workouts require more effort. In one study they found that if an adult works out for at least 150 minutes a week participating in moderate exercise, they were 31% less likely to die than inactive people 14 years later.
Overall, if you're looking for primary health benefits for your future, an hour of low-moderate exercises a day will help!
References:
- Li, L., Men, W., Chang, Y., Fan, M., Ji, L., & Wei, G. (2014). Acute aerobic exercise increases cortical activity during working memory: A functional mri study in female college students. PloS One, 9(6), e99222. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0099222
- Grasdalsmoen, M., Eriksen, H. R., Lønning, K. J., & Sivertsen, B. (2020). Physical exercise, mental health problems, and suicide attempts in university students. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 175. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02583-3