If you’re struggling with stress during these last few weeks of the semester, you’re not alone. In efforts to battle your stress during these rough weeks, exercise can help. Whether you prefer weight lifting, sporting activities, cardio or relaxing yoga and pilates, there is an exercise for you.
Exercise helps to reduce stress because your increased heart rate makes your body release endorphins. Endorphins are substances produced by the brain that have painkilling and tranquilizing effects on the body.
“I just like exercising because going to the gym gets me out of my apartment, and I feel like I’m accomplishing something that isn’t school related,” Payton Saxon, a sophomore exercise physiology major said.
Payton Saxon working away stress during a workout at the Student Recreational Center.
Recent studies documented by Men’s Health Magazine have shown that among many other exercises, weight lifting effectively reduces the stress you may have built up.
“I feel like when I left weights I’m literally lifting stress off of my shoulders and back. I couldn’t get the same effect playing basketball or running around a track,” said Saxon.
If you are more interested in keeping a steady pace and exercising at your own discretion, weight lifting is for you. Weight lifting helps you build muscle mass and burn fat while you are keeping yourself occupied and freeing your mind. However, instead of weight lifting, many other students prefer to engage themselves in sporting activities.
“I like playing basketball because it’s so fast paced. When I’m in a game and I’m running up and down the court, I don’t even think about anything other than my goal,” said Jordan Taflan, a sophomore criminology major.
Jordan Taflan clearing his mind while keeping it in the game during an intense game of basketball at the Student Recreation Center.
Sporting activities allow you to keep a fast pace while increasing your heart rate, which instantly releases many endorphins into your body. If you find yourself to be a competitive person and you don’t mind a fast pace exercise, sporting activities are the best option for you.
If you enjoy increasing your heart rate to the pressure off without the competitive edge, cardio is a great option for you.
Jennifer Grieco, a sophomore pre-occupational therapy major, said that she enjoyed cardio the best because she liked working with a timed exercise while getting her blood pumping. Also, unlike sporting activities, Grieco stated that she enjoyed listening to music on her iPod while she engaged in cardio.
Other than just reducing stress, during cardio workouts, you are burning fat, which contributes to weight loss. Cardio also makes your heart strong and increases your lung capacity.
Lastly, if you find yourself to be interested in a quiet, calming environment that helps you reduce your stress, you should try a yoga or pilates class. Yoga and pilates are known to help people reduce their stress levels by helping them learn to control their breathing, clear their mind and relax their body.
“I like yoga and pilates because the classes ease my mind. They are so calm and relaxing and that’s what I need in my crazy life. It’s like an hour a day of nothing but solitude, and I think it actually helps me with my school work because I can be more relaxed and focused when I need to do assignments or study for an exam,” said Candice Weigel, a senior Public Relations major.
Weigel said that she has been taking yoga and pilates classes throughout her entire college career, and she doesn’t think that she would be able to survive these years without the classes.
Ultimately, whether you prefer weight lifting, sporting activities, cardio workouts or yoga and pilates type exercises, there is something for you that will benefit your body and mind during these stressful weeks of college.
