We’re three weeks into the fall semester and things have really started to pick up.
The first full week of classes has arrived, and you’re suddenly hit with the realization that you’re going to have to start heading to the library for reasons other than meal equiv.
There aren’t enough hours in your day to finish your readings, write your papers and study for your exams. Oh, and there’s the eating and sleeping you have to fit into your schedule as well.
The not-so-secret solution to success here is time management. What many students fail to take into account is that good time management does not mean sitting at your desk continuously for lengthy periods of time. You have to take breaks, not only to eat and sleep, but also to keep yourself healthy. Studies have shown that individuals study most effectively in small chunks of time lasting no more than an hour.
Now, I’m not saying you aren’t entitled to your Facebook break, but it would be in your best interest to also alternate your study sessions with an activity that has mental, physical and social benefits. Aerobic exercise is multitasking at its finest as it encompasses all three of these. It includes a wide variety of activities — one will certainly tickle your fancy. Examples include running, kickboxing, swimming, cycling and even just walking.
Aerobics increase resistance to fatigue and results in greater levels of energy. This additional energy gives one a greater ability to focus on the task at hand, ultimately leading to greater efficiency and diligence. It also leads to a happier disposition, for studies have shown that this type of physical activity decreases the chances of depression.
Feeling guilty about binging on T-Dubs last night? Aerobics are an excellent mechanism to relieve that. Aerobic exercise is vigorous exercise and it leads to weight loss if done on a regular basis. Furthermore, this activity has a variety of general health benefits, ranging from strengthening your immune system to conditioning your lungs. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart, the most important muscle in the body. A healthier heart leads to a longer life, so start exercising.
Aerobic exercise is also a great way to meet new people and keep in touch with old friends. Attending one of the many classes held in the T/W Fitness Center, going to the gym or joining the running club are all ways you and a friend can see each other on a regular basis. You can opt to bring along a buddy or forge a new friendship. Either way, aerobics will soon become an activity the both of you will bond over — who says sweat isn’t as thick as blood?
Overall, exercise is a terrific stress reliever, so be sure to fit fitness into your schedule.
