Want to know why is exercise important for uni students? These are the 10 best reasons and benefits of exercise to help you start an exercise routine, have a healthy body, and live a more active lifestyle.
As a college/ university student, your stress levels must be high with your busy schedule, extracurriculars, perhaps a relationship, and maybe even a job commitment, not to mention doing your readings, assignments, and studying for exams. Your physical fitness can be an afterthought after all that.
So, I bet the last thing you’re thinking about right now is buying a gym membership that you don’t have time to use.
You are going to learn the best tips on how to get started with exercising at the university level, if this is your first time this article will provide some physical activity guidelines to help you develop some healthy habits and maintain an active social life with as little effort as possible.
When I was at uni, I didn’t do much exercise. I was too busy prioritising everything and everyone else in my life over my own student health. My health saw a significant decline and regretted not dedicating enough time to doing some sort of physical activity, and I believe that doing a few minutes of exercise a day would have put me on a path to healthy eating much sooner.
After learning about the importance of exercise, you need to put the wheels in motion to see the positive effects exercising can have on your daily lives such as improving your academic performance leading to better grades and a higher gpa. You will see a significant difference in your overall health.
This post is all about the positive correlation between cardiovascular exercise and its important cognitive benefits.
Which is a smart and fancy way of saying…
Why is Exercise Important For Uni Students?
Recent research by the UCL has shown that physical exercise releases proteins in the brain that can help improve your memory and increase your cognitive performance.
While it is easy to put your health on the backburner during exam season, did you know that being physically active can help improve your academic performance?
Exercise is crucial
If exercise came in pill form, it would be the most sought-after drug on the market according to many health experts.
Decades of research have frequently indicated that exercise is a crucial tool for improving various physical aspects like balance, bone density, strength, and endurance.
Exercise improves your heart health, just doing short exercises before working such as push-ups or sit-ups can increase your heart rate, and get your blood flow.
Additionally, regular exercise can positively impact lipid profiles, blood pressure levels, and cardiovascular health.
Lipid profiles are a measure of the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.
High levels of these substances can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems, which you obviously do not want.
By exercising regularly, you can help to keep your lipid levels in check, develop strong bones and improve your overall cardiovascular health.
Exercise boosts your physical and mental health
Exercise is important for university students because it can help improve their mental and physical health. As well as provide other health benefits. It can also boost energy levels, aid in weight management such as weight loss, and reduce stress.
University students should aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
There are many easy ways to fit exercise into a busy university schedule. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk or cycle to class, and get involved in sports.
Regular exercise can help university students feel their best and perform at their highest levels academically and socially.
Exercise is a way of regenerating new brain cells naturally, the more brain cells you have the better you will become a learning new information and improving your memory.
Your college years are a great opportunity to get involved in physical education classes, do regular aerobic exercise, participate in bone-strengthening activities, learn about strength training, and other things that they didn’t teach us in high school.
Recent research by the UCL has shown that physical exercise releases proteins in the brain that can help improve your memory and increase your cognitive performance.
Exercise has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression levels. So, if you’re feeling down or stressed out, a little exercise may be just what you need to boost your mood!
“University students should aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week”
So join me as we explore the top 10 reasons why exercise is important for university/ college students!
1. Exercise can improve your memory
As mentioned before, exercise can help improve your memory by releasing proteins in the brain that aid in cognitive function.
Your memory isn’t just improved while you’re working out, but also for a while afterwards.
So if you have an important test or presentation coming up, make sure to squeeze in a workout beforehand!
By exercising you are also improving your focus and attention span, which can be helpful in lectures or when studying hard!
2. Exercise can help you concentrate
It’s not just your memory that benefits from exercise – your concentration does too!
Numerous studies from the University of British Columbia found that just 20 minutes of moderate exercise can give you better focus and attention.
So, why not do some physical activities for 20 minutes every day to prime your brain for study time.
That means you’ll be able to power through those late-night study sessions and exams with ease!
3. It can help you de-stress
We all know that university can be stressful.
From exams and essays to just the general day-to-day juggling of classes, social life, and maybe even a part-time job, it’s no wonder that students often feel stressed.
But did you know that exercise can help to reduce stress? When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can have negative effects on your health.
But exercise can help to lower cortisol levels, which can in turn help you feel less stress, so it’s a win-win!
4. Exercise can boost your mood
In a recent survey, it was found that a staggering 79.2% of Uni students were found to suffer from moderate to mild depression.
Exercise has also been shown to boost mood and improve mental health.
When you are exercising, your body releases endorphins which are brain chemicals that improve your mood. Research has shown that regular exercise can be just as effective as medication for treating depression.
So, if you’re feeling down, a workout, a long walk, or a bike ride could be just what you need to improve your mood!
Head over to my other helpful article to find out Why Student Well-being Is Important: 5 Ways to Get Energized!
5. It can help you to sleep better
If you’re struggling to get enough shut-eye, exercise may be able to help.
Experts agree that regular exercise can help to improve sleep quality and quantity.
So if you’re finding it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, a workout during the day could be the key to getting a better night’s sleep.
If workouts aren’t your thing then maybe some relaxation exercises like yoga or Tai Chi could be just what you need to move your body and help you to get a cosy restorative night’s sleep!
Find out more about why you need to level up your sleep goals and take a look at Why is Sleep Important For Students
6. It can boost your energy levels
Do you always feel tired? We all know that studying and socialising at university can sometimes take their toll!
Exercise can help to give you a much-needed energy boost.
When you’re feeling fatigued, a workout can help to increase your energy levels and improve your overall fitness.
So next time you’re feeling tired, try going for a run or hitting the gym instead of reaching for a coffee or an energy drink!
7. It Can Help You Make Friends
If you’re new to the university, exercise can be a great way to meet people and make new friends.
Whether you join a sports team or take up a new fitness class, you’re sure to meet some like-minded people.
And working out with friends can make exercise more enjoyable too, so go ahead a get an exercise buddy!
To find out more about the types of sports clubs available check out your university website or ask the student union. They cover all aspects of social interactions on your college campuses, so do be afraid to reach out, get some new information and make some lifestyle changes.
For more helpful advice, head over to find out Why Connecting With Others Is Important At Uni: 10 Best Tips On Making Friends
8. You’ll be more productive
It might sound counter-intuitive, but taking some time out for exercise will make you more productive.
That’s because when you give your brain a break from studying, it can come back to your work refreshed and ready to tackle whatever challenge is ahead.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by assignments or exams, a quick workout, team game, or dance class could be the answer!
Just make sure you give yourself enough time to cool down afterwards so you don’t end up feeling more stressed out than before!
9. It’s free!
One of the great things about exercise is that it doesn’t have to cost a thing. There are plenty of free ways to get active, such as going for a walk, a run, football, or playing frisbee in the park!
Once you’ve got a few basic pieces of equipment, such as a skipping rope or some dumbbells, you can even do a workout at home for free!
There are also many online classes you can join on Youtube like yoga and dance. So it doesn’t matter where you live whether it’s in the United Kingdom, the United States, or anywhere else in the world. There are plenty of opportunities for you to get moving, even if you’re on a tight budget.
So, put away the video games and get active!
10. It’s Fun!
We all know that leading a sedentary lifestyle isn’t any fun. Exercise is a great way to break up the monotony of sitting in lectures, studying in the library, and going to tutorials.
Getting out and about and enjoying some fresh air can help increase your energy levels and make you feel more alert.
You’re also likely to sleep better if you’re getting some exercise during the day. And who doesn’t want to feel more energetic and alert when they’re trying to study?!
Some of the best ways to have fun when exercising at uni are to join a club or society, go for a run with some friends, or even just take a walk around campus.
There are plenty of ways to get active and have fun at the same time!
Ten best ways to get more exercise at Uni!
Here are my favourite ten ways of getting moving when you are at Uni!
- Get up and move during lectures or study breaks. Instead of sitting in the same spot for hours, take a few minutes to walk around or do some stretches.
- Join a sports team. It’s a great way to get active and meet new people
- Take advantage of your campus recreation centre. Most offer a variety of fitness classes, weight-training equipment, and courts for playing sports
- Go for a walk or run around your neighbourhood or on a nearby trail.
- Ride a bike instead of driving or getting the bus when you can. You can also ride your bike to and from Uni.
- Get involved in an outdoor regular physical activity like hiking, rock climbing, or Frisbee golf.
- Make fitness a social activity by working out with friends.
- Take a fitness class at a local gym or community centre.
- Use your smartphone or other devices to track your steps and distance covered each day
- Set realistic goals for yourself and strive to meet them.
Remember: Investing in a healthy lifestyle is never a waste of time or money.
Building an Exercise Routine that suits you
It is essential that you make exercise a part of your daily routine. Recent studies by the Center For Disease Control (CDC) recommends, for an adult aged 18- 65years, at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, intense exercise such as brisk walking, and at least 2 days a week of activities that strengthen muscles. Muscle strength group that needs to be flexed are your legs, hips, arms, shoulders, back, abdomen, and chest.
This sounds like a lot, especially if you have a busy home life but it doesn’t have to be done all at once. Splitting it into manageable chunks is a great place to start. For example, you could do 30 minutes of physical activity a day, 5 days a week.
Speaking of manageable, you don’t have to find a better place to exercise, you can do it while you doing things you have to do anyways on a regular basis. For example, hoovering, walking your pet, and cleaning your house.
Doing aerobic physical activity is basically cardio, it’s anything that gets you moving, even doing things that don’t feel like exercising. For example, dancing to music, or playing a sport that has physical activity participation such as basketball, netball, football, or Swimming.
Your breathing will increase and you have high blood pressure while doing it.
If you are short on time, then start by doing it for 5 minutes, it all adds up bit by bit.
Today is the day you can make a positive change and get on the journey to a healthy diet and even healthier lifestyle!
Download the visual information chart from the CDC here.
Summary of 5 Reasons Why Exercise is Important:
- Improves your sleep
- Improves your mood
- Improves your study habits
- Reduce your stress
- Sharpens your focus/ mind.
I said it once and I’ll say it again…
Investing in a healthy lifestyle is never a waste of time or money, these are important components to creating a healthier, happier life for yourself.
Some people just need telling a few times, over and over again before it starts to sink in.
Final thoughts on why is exercise important at uni…
So I hope that’s given you every reason to make sure you are having fun playing team sports, practicing your yoga moves or simply making sure you take a walk around the beautiful parks near your Uni!
For more help and guidance on how to level up your well-being and hit your study, work and social goals don’t forget to check out my other helpful Student Support articles.
“A habit needs to be established before it can be expanded upon”
James Clear
Other posts you may like:
- Why Is Student Wellbeing Important? 5 Ways To Get Energised!
- Why Connecting With Others Is Important At Uni: 11 Best Tips For Making Friends at Uni
