Unleash Your Brain's Potential with Physical Activity
Emerging research suggests that physical activity positively impacts more than just physical health. Engaging in moderate exercise can also improve brain and cognitive function. During a long study session, engaging in physical activity can be a simple and effective method to unlock your brain's full potential.
Better Time Management and Productivity
Time management is crucial when juggling education, work, and social life throughout college. Exercise can increase the ability to study efficiently, manage a schedule, and increase energy levels. Starting your day with a quick walk or yoga session can make you feel more in control and ready to head to campus.
Improved memory
- Moderate to vigorous physical activity does much more than increase muscle mass.
- The muscular system works hard to generate energy and functions to produce ATP for muscle contraction. During these contractions, muscle fibers produce myokines that are released into the blood circulation and are transported to all the essential organs in the body, such as the brain.
- These myokines function in the brain to increase neurogenesis, grow the hippocampus, and increase Brain-derived neurotic factors. The Hippocampus is an essential structure for memory and learning.
- Therefore, changes in the hypothalamus's structure and high levels of BDNF consequently increase the ability to form long-term memories and make it easier to learn information.
Improved Focus and Attention
Maintaining focus is crucial for achieving academic success. Our world has many distractions, from jaw-dropping episodes on Netflix to endless scrolling on TikTok—the answer: Physical activity.
- Engaging in physical activity can enhance academic success by improving attention and concentration.
- A quantitative study at St. Johns University concluded that students who participated in physical activity before their algebra course had drastically higher scores in the class and the final exam. (Cox, 2022).
- In addition to higher academic scores, the research concluded students were also more engaged in class and had elevated mood levels.
Activities to unlock your full potential and excel academically
1. Take active breaks:
Taking breaks from being sedentary is essential. Step outside for fresh air, or do a 10-minute workout video to increase memorization and boost energy levels.
Click here to try this quick 10-minute yoga session with Yoga With Adrienne
2. Meet the recommended physical activity levels recommended by the ODPHP
Click here to be redirected to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to find out what the current guidelines are.
3.) Use campus resources: Take advantage of your campus fitness center by watching
lectures on the treadmill or utilizing the group fitness classes to take a break from
studying