How Exercise Can Help Students Excel At Their Studies

A healthy exercise routine is just as important as healthy food. Research shows that exercise significantly improves the quality of life, but more importantly, its impact goes beyond body and weight since it also enhances brain function.

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The trouble is that students rarely, if ever, get time to work on their physical fitness. According to NIH, 40% to 50% of college students are not physically active. Things are no better for school-goers as another study reveals that around 75% of teenagers are exercise deprived.

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We’ve all been there and understand how tiring and anxiety-inducing it can be to keep up with the papers, readings, research, and exams.

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Being busy is no excuse for not including regular exercise in your daily routine as a student. It is the secret to boosting cognitive abilities like memory, focus, learning, and thinking. Let’s explore this phenomenon in further detail.

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Strengthens Your Memory

Even a humble walk helps with brain memory and enhances your memory. Moreover, moderate physical exercise also protects against brain performance with age.

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Here’s how that happens: regular movement increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other molecular targets within the brain. This facilitates the formation of new synapses that mediate our memory and learning abilities, making it easy to memorize new things for the long term.

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And that’s precisely why a good walk or run in the fresh air can help students sleep better to get up with a fresh mind.

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When a person performs intensive exercise, the body releases proteins. The hippocampus responds to these proteins and performs better, which is crucial in improving memory function and dealing with information.

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Take some time out for exercise before exams, lectures, or studying. You’ll be better off for it.

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Improves Concentration/Focus

It’s common for students to complain that they can’t study because they are unable to concentrate. When you feel this way, sitting and listening to lectures or studying for hours can be impossible.

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How about focus exercises?

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These are mindful activities that help mental fitness and calm your thoughts, enhancing your focus on tasks that need all your concentration. Moreover, focus exercises can make it easier for you to recall important information when needed.

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This can help you concentrate on a particular subject, lecture, or paper for hours on end. It is similar to fitness, where you put all your energy and time into one thing at a time, and the outcome is impressive.

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We suggest starting with meditation and mindfulness activities to train your brain to focus better so you can be sharper.

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Reduces Stress

While stress is an integral part of our lives, there is no reason for you to suffer needlessly and let it hamper your life. Nearly 48% of college students report severe or moderate stress that affects their performance in exams and important projects.

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When we exercise, the brain releases a chemical called “Endorphins.” It acts as a natural painkiller, improves sleep, and reduces stress. It affects your whole body, and you can feel discomfort because of the nerve connections. So, regular exercise can help improve mental health and reduce tension, effectively improving fatigue, alertness, and concentration.

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Moreover, physical activity can be responsible for releasing dopamine and serotonin. These are vital elements in improving mood.

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Improves Energy Levels

Moving more can actually make you more energetic.

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Sounds strange, right? But there’s some solid science behind that too.

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Exertion spurs your muscles to create fuel from the glucose it gets from your food and oxygen. And that helps increase your body’s energy supply.

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Exercising also boosts the circulation of oxygen inside this body. This increases the oxygen provided to your muscles, which in turn allows your body to function better and use energy more efficiently.

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Plus, your body gets a helping hand from an exercise-induced rise in hormones that makes you feel invigorated.

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This is all great news for students who are often tired from the tedious and long-winded daily routines that drain energy. Moreover, students spend considerable time on screen, which can be mentally and physically exhausting.

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As a student, your physical health is equally vital to your mental health. A healthy mind enables you to study better, while a healthy body prevents the chances of falling ill and gives you the drive you need to succeed.

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What Is the Best Time For Exercise?

It is never too late to start exercising. Make sure to take time out for exercise, but the question is, when’s the best time to do it?

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If you have morning classes, then you should have morning exercise. It will allow you to focus in class and help in memorizing things better.

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If you are studying and feeling stressed, then take a break and do some moderate exercise. You will be fresh and more efficient in learning with this small exercise break. Taking this small break is restoring your mental health and reducing stress.

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If you need help fitting this in, try using Focus Bear’s automated break reminders to prompt you to do microworkouts.

Exercising the Right Way To Boost Your Performance as a Student

The following tips will help you to create an efficient exercise routine

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1. Aim to exercise daily for at least half an hour. It is not necessary that you do intense running or jogging to drain out all your energy. Build it up over time to make the exercise regime sustainable.
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2. Fuel your body with the necessary protein, vitamins, and minerals. The combination of exercise and diet increases mind and body performance
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3. Get enough sleep: good exercise requires sufficient sleep — if you don’t sleep well, your body won’t recover from your workouts.
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4. Consistency is the key. Even if you have no study-related stress or work, continue to be active. It will ensure your body and mind stays healthy
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Conclusion

No one wants to see you under stress with lower grades. We recommend you use the above exercise tips and enjoy the benefits. It will not only help you to achieve good grades but also help in achieving daily tasks and goals. Become a better version of yourself.

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If you need help fitting exercise into your morning routine, the Focus Bear app can help. It guides you through your morning routine, blocking distracting apps (e.g. Instagram/Facebook) that could interrupt your exercise plans.

To make exercise more enjoyable, it lets you embed relevant Youtube videos (e.g. a 30 minute HIIT workout video) so you can follow along with an instructor without having the distractions of the Youtube app.