Why You Should Exercise
"Training gives us an outlet for suppressed energies created by stress and thus tones the spirit just as exercise conditions the body."-— Arnold Schwarzenegger
Balancing school and life is definitely not easy, and it often becomes hard to justify putting time into the gym and eating a healthy diet amidst a busy schedule. It can be hard to remember just how important exercise is for the mind and the body. The reality is, every time we procrastinate or otherwise justify not exercising, we’re shaving time off our lives. Exercising is one of the most important medicines for our bodies. Strength training, running, biking or taking wellness & fitness classes all provide a healthy outlet for achieving physical goals and developing a healthier mindset.
Superficially, exercise helps to control your weight in a healthy manner, assuming it is approached in a healthy way. Obviously, if you can maintain a healthy weight, all other aspects of your health become easier pieces to fit within a complex puzzle. Exercise also benefits your physical health in less obvious ways. It boosts cardiovascular health by strengthening your heart, increases circulation, lowers your blood pressure and reduces inflammation. The result is a life with significantly reduced risks of future cardiovascular heart problems. Exercise also improves physical stamina and strength from both increased activity and increased hormones such as testosterone and human growth hormone. Exercise improves mental and emotional well-being from the release of serotonin and endorphins, which help to improve mood, reduce stress and increase your energy.
Exercise is often a great foundation to improving other aspects of your life. Working out in social environments can help improve your social life through exposing you to new people. Starting a workout plan can also improve your confidence in other areas of your life; this is further enhanced from the increased energy gained from choosing to engage in an exercise program. Exercise also helps promote better sleep habits by regulating your circadian rhythm, increasing REM sleep time, improving your sleep quality by ensuring you are tired earlier, and reducing or outright eliminating sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or insomnia. Exercise helps create and promote better, more healthy living from the bottom to the top.
Ultimately, whether you choose to exercise or not is your choice, but the benefits speak for themselves. Even at times when you are at your busiest, often dedicating even just 30 minutes out of your day can make all the difference in your emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. For students interested in making a change, Western Wyoming Community College offers a selection of courses such as KIN 1009, PEAC 1294 and even a student fitness center!
