BrittBardman
Staff Writer
Collegecan be stressful and challenging, but being physically active can help studentsprioritize their mental health, academic life and overall well being.
Takingthe stairs to class, riding a bike around Laramie and enlisting a friend formutual workout encouragement are easy, helpful ways to stay active. UW alsooffers opportunities for students to get active, even in the winter. Intramuralsports like billiards, curling, tennis doubles, wrestling, table tennis andeven innertube waterpolo are good options for students.
Exercisingallows our muscles, and our ligaments and our tendons to do some work, and haveour brain focus on the work thats being done Some physical work createsclarity in our mental state, said Jennifer Knerr, a certified athletic trainerwho works in Half Acre.
Shealso recommended the Universitys outdoor program through campus recreation.Students can sign up for fun weekend trips, and those looking for their ownadventures can rent outdoor gear like sleeping bags, bikes or cross countryskis at a discounted rate.
Choosingwhat kind of physical activity depends on personal goals. Knerr encouragedstudents to see a personal trainer in Half Acre to get a better sense of theirgoals or to have a private space to exercise.
TheCenter of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health andHuman Services 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans maintains twogeneral exercise recommendations for adults, including cardio andmuscle-strengthening.
Forcardio, the guidelines suggest getting ones heart rate up with moderate andvigorous intensity aerobic exercise, which will increase the strength of theheart and lungs and increase endurance. Cardio can also help improvecholesterol levels, control blood sugar and maintain weight. A mood boost, anenergy boost and a decrease in stress and anxiety is another benefit of fittingin cardio. The guidelines suggest 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity perweek, and 75-150 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic activity per week.
Whenit comes to muscle-strengthening, benefits include strengthening bones,managing chronic pain and improving balance. The CDC and Department of Healthand Human Services suggest working all major muscle groups at least twice aweek, by doing weight training for resistance and strength, enduranceexercises, push ups, sit ups or yoga.
DanielleBruns, an assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences, mentioned howphysical activity often drops when students come to college, especiallystudents who were athletes in high school but did not continue to pursue thatin college. Fighting that decline in activity level and making an effort to bephysically healthy can lead to lower depression, higher cognitive ability, amore positive body image and improved self esteem.
Physicalactivity in excess can be dangerous, though. Exercising safely to reduce riskof injury or extreme weight loss, and using it as a healthy coping mechanism isimportant. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends choosingtypes of physical activity that are appropriate for a persons current fitnesslevel and health goals because some activities are safer than others.
TheDepartment of Health and Human Services also recommends protecting yourself byusing appropriate gear and sports equipment, following rules and policies,choosing safe environments and making sensible choices about when, where andhow to be active. People with chronic conditions and symptoms can consult ahealth care professional or physical activity specialist about the types andamounts of activity appropriate for them.
Adultswith chronic conditions or disabilities, who are able, can also do muscle-strengtheningactivities two or more days a week and avoid inactivity, after consulting ahealthcare professional or physical activity specialist about the types andamounts of activity appropriate for their abilities.
Ultimately,physical activity, in any form, can help busy college students to stay focused,maintain good mental health and have a more positive body image.
Read more:
Physical health: The benefits of exercise - The Branding Iron
