As the end of the semester approaches, it becomes harder to make sure you are still taking care of yourself – getting enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and making time to get moving. But it’s just as important as ever to do so!
There are more than just the physical benefits of exercise. The research shows that getting your heart rate up can:
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Improve sleep
- Help elevate mood
- Increase concentration.
Sounds pretty good as finals roll around, right?!
So how much physical activity should we be getting? The federal government just released new guidelines for physical activity ! Adults should be getting about 22 minutes of moderate activity every day.
But getting your heart rate up doesn’t always have to mean hitting the gym hard or taking up running as your new hobby.
Here are some tips to get you moving through finals and through those long test weeks in the future!
- Stand up every 30-45 minutes and go for a fast walk.
- Do some body weight exercises when taking a study break. Squats, lunges and push ups are great, easy ways to get a work-out in wherever you are!
- Choose the restroom or water fountain on the far side of the library (or wherever you’re studying!) to get those extra steps in!
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator to get your heart pumping a little before sitting down for a study session.
Remember: Moving as much as you can and as often as you can is super important for your general health. It doesn’t have to be long runs or intense work-out classes as long as you are staying active throughout day!