It’s a new semester: time to start exercising

As the fall semester begins, students find that balancing school, work and a social life can be quite challenging. The thought of exercising just does not measure up to the temptation of grabbing some chips and plopping onto the couch.

Sound familiar? You are not alone.

According to the surgeon general, America’s chief health officer, more than 60 percent of adults do not exercise regularly and 25 percent are not active at all. 30 minutes of exercise a day is all you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. College, a natural transition period, is an ideal time to institute changes that will last a lifetime.

The list of medical reasons to exercise is long. Exercising delivers oxygen and nutrients to your whole body helping it to work more efficiently. Physical activity releases chemicals in your brain called endorphins that are known to make you feel happier and more relaxed. It helps maintain a healthy blood pressure and improves circulation.

And exercise can be fun. Often times, exercise can be apart of some of your favorite daily activities, such as walking the dog, going to the playground or riding your bike.

Exercise increases your energy level and boosts your endurance. Regular physical activity has been proven to help prevent a wide variety of health problems. It helps you to maintain a healthy weight and to sleep better. Weekly exercise can even help your grades; regular exercise correlates with better academic performance in studies.

At times students may believe that it is impossible to fit exercise into their weekly schedule but experts say that with good time management and a little bit of motivation it is possible.

Some tips for college students to get started

● Try to make an exercise schedule. Even if it’s a few days a week to start off, it’s good to get into a routine.

● Find a workout partner, having someone in the gym with you might make it more enjoyable and give you extra motivation.

● Find something you enjoy doing. Exercising doesn’t just consist of lifting and running. Go to a nearby gym and find out what spinning, yoga, or fitness classes they are offering.

You don’t have to be a bodybuilder and hit the gym five to six times a week but regular participation in some form of physical activity is highly beneficial for not only the physical body but the mental and emotional as well.

Check out these resources for health and wellness here at Kean:

● Fitness Center/ Gym- D’Angola 194

● Exercise, fitness, yoga, dance, swimming and more are one credit courses in the Department of Health & Human Performance, located in the D-Angola building

● Department of Recreation & Intramurals: keanathletics.com

● Follow “Kean Wellness” on social media