A common misconception about exercise is always the idea of keeping up appearances. “I’m so bloated. I need to go to the gym,” or “I ate junk food all day yesterday, it’s going to go straight to my waist if I don’t exercise.” Although these statements may be true, it is hard to believe that the only reason college students stop watching Netflix and drag themselves through a gym door is solely based on the need of “being skinny.” Exercise is so much more important than that. It’s more than being “skinny” or giving off an image of “health.” It is about self-health and being the best person you can be. (And no that doesn’t mean physically.) Here are the real reasons exercising regularly is extremely important.
Improves mood
Everyone has up and down days, this is a fact, but exercise is proven to help the body regulate hormones that affect things like mood. Also, when exercising, the body releases more endorphins into the brain that actually make you feel happier. Exercise was actually used, and is still used, as an anti-depressant tool for people struggling with depression. You may not feel it while running on the treadmill, but after, you can’t help but smile.
Boosts energy
The most common saying around a college campus is “I just want to go to bed,” but we can’t. We have jobs, class, extracurricular activities, friends; the list goes on and on. Exercise can help give students a boost without the health risks of caffeine and the infinitely long list of harmful chemicals in energy drinks like Monster. Forget all the misconceptions of exercise making you more tired. It may be hard to get going, but after, you feel refreshed and awake. However, sleep is always the best remedy for tiredness. Don’t forget to sleep!
Combats health conditions and diseases
College campuses are the breeding ground of every type of common cold and strain mono you can think of. Exercise can boost the immune system, which can prevent you from getting strep throat the same week you have a big exam.
Promotes better sleep
We already talked about how exercise can prevent tiredness, but it also helps things once you are ready to go to bed. Studies show that exercise can promote better sleeping patterns. So when you want to go to bed, your body is prepared to shut down and ready to charge.
Helps with stress
Everybody has stress. Exercise can help with that. Yoga won’t do your 10-page paper for you, but it can turn the body and the brain away from stressful and anxious thoughts that lead to high blood pressure and panic attacks. You’ve got to love endorphins!
Rate of digestion improves
Ever feel like your dinner sits with you the whole week? Exercise can help the digestive system actually work faster on digesting food, which eliminates bloating and stomachaches. You can go back to the days of a faster metabolism and enjoy your cheeseburger with no fear of repercussions.
Your skin clears
Stress will always lead to breakouts, but when exercise relieves some of that stress in the brain, it relieves the stress on the skin. It’s proven that regular exercise can lead to improved skin due to stress reduction, hormone regulation and even the sheer act of sweating and clearing pores. Just make sure you wash your face after exercising, otherwise you will get the opposite effect.
Reduces blood pressure
This is a big advantage since more and more young people are experiencing high blood pressure. Exercise can get the blood pumping and the heart racing, but after, the body returns to a far more regulated pressure than before.
People go the gym for all kinds of reasons, and if you are one of those people who goes to get rid of dining hall pizza weight, that’s fine. I’m suggesting the reasons for going to the gym, even for a few minutes, revolve around overall health. I think you’ll find that these reasons will get you through the door far more than the goal of a “bikini-ready body.”