It is not too surprising that exercise would lead to an improvement in one’s overall mood considering the correlating benefits of deeper sleep and higher self-confidence. What you may not have known is that even when you exercise just once, there are changes in the brain that immediately boost your mood. According to Mayo Clinic, exercise releases “feel-good endorphins…and other natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of well-being”. It is easy to start feeling overwhelmed and stressed while studying, that is why it is crucial that students find a healthy way to navigate their emotions and feel good while learning.
Experts have also found that exercise not only improves one’s general mood, but it can also be a treatment option for depression and anxiety. According to Dwellstudent, “exercise has been found to treat mild-to-moderate depression as effectively as medication”. It is incredibly common for students to face depression, especially in college. According to the American Psychological Association, “Ninety-five percent of college counseling center directors surveyed said the number of students with significant psychological problems is a growing concern in their center or on campus”. Perhaps building good exercise habits early on could be a major benefit for students when they leave home for college.
