Being a college student can be very stressful! That is the reason I would like to share with all of you how exercise is beneficial for your well-being. I will also provide running routes around UCI.
According to Brightside, a webpage about inspiration, creativity, and wonder, exercising increases one’s metabolic rate, which is important for those of you who want to lose weight. After training, one’s body starts to digest proteins and carbohydrates four times faster, so you lose weight more quickly. In addition, your brain releases endorphins, which improves your mood.
Additionally, your body continues to experience changes just after a few hours of exercise, which helps you sleep better. A few weeks after exercising, lung capacity increases, which improves your breathing rate and the control you have over your breathing while exercising.
Here is the best part. After months of training, one become less likely to feel stressed, depressed, or prone to mood swings. Your brain activity improves, which allows it to make decisions more quickly while taking exams.
Last, but not least, your life expectancy increases and your body stays young for longer period of time. Just imagine the way you will look when you go back to your high school reunions!
For many people, including myself, it difficult to start running regularly. To help you out, I will provide several running routes around UC Irvine that should not take more than 30 minutes.
The first one is running around Aldrich Park. I personally have not tried it, but many students enjoy it, so I can just imagine running around so many trees with a nice breeze. I would suggest running early in the morning or before sunset, depending on what works best with your schedule.
Another route starts on Harvard Avenue. Then make a right turn on University Drive. Next, take a right on Culver Drive. Take a right back onto Harvard Avenue and you will have completed about two and a half miles.
Also, you can go to William R. Mason Regional Park and run a few laps around the park with a nice view of a lake.