8 Brain-Boosting Benefits of Exercise for Students

Children doing Pilates at School

With school holidays behind us, group fitness classes at The Studio HQ are full of Hobart parents enjoying a bit of time to look after themselves.  Now is a great time to get into the swing of things with healthy practices and daily routines that will not only keep the kids feeling great, but might also help their performance in the classroom too.

Research over many years has proven the undeniable correlation between physical fitness and the benefits on brain power, concentration and overall learning. Not only does study burn loads of energy, but the body and mind require regular exercise to perform at their peak.  This means that a regular group fitness class is not only toning your body but also strengthening your brain. This is even more relevant for children, who, particularly these days are often distracted by screens and a world of other options – many of them indoors!

Physical Fitness: The Key to a Healthy Mind

Did you know that around 75% of mental health problems occur before the age of 25, placing critical importance on ensuring our young ones get the balance of lifestyle and fitness that their developing bodies and minds need.

Some of the key benefits of regular activity for students include:

  1. Improved memory and cognitive function. 
  2. Better sleep
  3. Longer concentration
  4. Reduced stress and anxiety
  5. Social interaction
  6. Reduced insulin resistance
  7. Stimulated release of growth factors (the chemicals that help our brain cells to develop)
  8. Growth of new blood vessels in the brain

As we all know, setting aside time for exercise can be tricky, but this doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. Getting our kids out of the house can be as simple as playing some cricket or footy in the yard, taking the dog for a walk or heading for a dip in the local pool. Another great option for the whole family might be to nominate walk to school days where parents can also enjoy the benefits of pounding the pavement.

Walking to School
Walking to School is a great way to start fitness habits early.

The right food for thought

Of course, our children need great nutrition to keep them on top of their game. Coupling regular exercise with a healthy, low sugar diet will give them (and you) the best chance at success. 

Next time you’re in the kitchen preparing tomorrow’s snacks, keep these top lunchbox fillers in mind:

  • Fresh fruit.
  • Crunchy vegetables.
  • A meat or protein food such as slices of lean meat, hard-boiled egg, edamame, or nut butter
  • Dairy food such as a cheese stick or slice, grated cheese, milk or yoghurt or non-dairy options such as almond milk, coconut yoghurt, or soy cheese
  • Starchy food such as bread, a roll, pita or flatbread, fruit bread or crackers.
  • Water.

 

And don’t forget to try and lead by example with sustainable options where possible. The great news is there’s plenty of options to steer clear of mountains of the landfill, and it usually results in a double rainbow of goodness as most unwrapped inclusions (or ‘nude food’) will typically be natural healthy options. There’s always more we can do to teach our next generation how to protect the world we live in. 

A healthy lunch Box
Keep young brains fuelled for study and sport with a nutritious lunch.

Some ideas to get you started on sustainability might be:

  • Use containers suited to “nude food” which doesn’t have plastic or aluminium foil wrapping. If you do need to wrap, reusable beeswax wraps are a great alternative to plastic. You can do a course on making beeswax wraps at your local neighbourhood house or community arts centre.
  • Freeze water bottles to keep lunches fresh in summer. 
  • Encourage your local school to invest in compost bins or ask your little ones to make sure they bring home their scraps for yours.

 

Heading back to school or university can be a daunting experience, not only for students but parents too. But, if we can keep on top of some of the simple things and create healthy habits early, it will go a long way to seeing our children get the most out of this precious time.

Children are like sponges when it comes to learning so the best way to set up healthy fitness habits is to lead by example. Make time to work your body and your brain regularly at a group fitness class at The Studio.  With over 100 classes per week to choose from you’re sure to find a time that suits your lifestyle. 

Ready to start moving?

Add some meaningful movement to your day and feel the benefits. Check out our timetable and you’ll find that there’s always a class to suit your lifestyle.

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