SENIOR SCHOOL
Exercise for our
body + mind
We all already know that exercise
is good for your body. But did you
know it’s also effective in dealing with
depression, anxiety and stress?
In this article, we will explore the
Health and Physical Education Faculty’s
philosophy on exercising and the
benefits it has on mental health.
We will also outline some of the
strategies we used to keep students
engaged and active while they were
socially isolating.
Exercise is not just about aerobic capacity
and muscle size. Sure, exercise can improve
your physical health and trim your waistline,
but that’s not what motivates most people
to stay active. Students who exercise
regularly tend to do so because it gives
them an enormous sense of wellbeing.
They feel more energetic throughout the
day, sleep better at night, have sharper
memories, and feel more relaxed and
positive about themselves and their lives.
Science shows that exercise is a powerful
depression and anxiety fighter for several
reasons. Most importantly, it promotes all
kinds of changes in the brain, including
neural growth, reduced inflammation, and
new activity patterns that promote feelings
of calm and wellbeing. It also releases
endorphins in your brain that energise your
spirits and make you feel good. Finally,
exercise can serve as a distraction, allowing
you to find some quiet time to break out
of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed
depression.
The positive effects
of exercise are
further enhanced
with the addition of
mindfulness.
The positive effects of exercise are further
enhanced with the addition of mindfulness.
Try to notice the sensation of your feet
hitting the ground, or the rhythm of your
breathing, or the feeling of the wind on
your skin. By adding this mindfulness
element, you will not only improve your
physical condition faster, but you may also
be able to interrupt the flow of constant
worries running through your head.
Exercising regularly is one of the easiest and
most effective ways to improve concentration,
motivation, memory, and mood. Physical
activity immediately boosts the brain’s
dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin
levels – all of which affect focus and attention.
21