Paw Print Writer: Riley Benavidez
Exercise is good for our bodies, and so is studying. But why is it so difficult to do, even though we should do it? What are the benefits involved when learning and moving? And how should we incorporate physical activity into our scholarly lives?
The human body revolves around motion. Over centuries our ancestors trekked, ran, and hunted for survival, evolving to an unfortunate sedentary lifestyle in the modern world. It doesn’t have to be this way, because just like our ancient ancestors, physical movement throughout the day is key.
But what does this have to do with studying?
When the body is exercising, there are numerous health benefits occuring. Elevated heart rates over a period of time can strengthen the heart, add density to bones, and define muscles. On the mental side, exercise is extremely useful. It boosts energy levels, increases concentration, improves overall mood, and can help strengthen memory. All skills required for success in any academic field.
Exercise benefits cognition because during this time proteins in the brain are released, which helps neuro-transmitters to fire quickly and easily. Think of it as gears onced lubricated they can rotate easier due to a lack of friction. This process occurs in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is responsible for retaining information.
When exercising, dopamine and endorphins are also released, which creates a blast of energy and good feelings into the brain. Studying after exercise is most beneficial because of these processes.
How long and strenuous must the physical activity be in order to fully reap the benefits? Unfortunately, it depends on the fitness level of the individual, but for the average person 20-30 minutes of moderately intense activity does the trick. Fortunately, this doesn’t require the full 20-30 minutes of exercise. It can be used in short bursts throughout the day.
Ways to do this are: Greasing the groove, hacking the Pomodoro timer, or walking while reading/listening.
Greasing the groove, a term used by some fitness people. Where you pick an exercise to continuous practice on such as pull ups, pushups, burpees, kettlebell swings, etc. Then establish a small rule, for example, “Everytime I walk past the kitchen I do 5 pushups,'' or “Whenever I reach a new chapter in the textbook, I do 10 kettlebell swings.” These are the fundamentals of “Greasing the groove” and can help add more physical activity during studying. Not only that, but it can also help practice an exercise in order to progress more. Win-win!
Hacking the Pomodoro timer: First off, the Pomodoro timer is a studying device to break up a studying session in order to avoid burnout. A popular Pomodoro session is 25 minutes of studying, followed by 5 minutes of a break, repeated 4 times. During the breaks, add some physical activity such as HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), dancing, or taking a short walk away from the desk.
Another way of adding more physical activity into study sessions would be to listen to podcasts or audiobooks of the subject during an exercise. This can be notes that were pre-recorded, or just from the subject. This helps bring in additional outside information and give you a better understanding of the subject.
Break out of the traditional sedentary lifestyle, and study smart and exercise smart!
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