Movement is Medicine
By: Savannah Holderer
The onset of a new college semester in the virtual reality of online classes is causing symptoms of Zoom fatigue, assignment overload, and deadline dread with the standard side effects of stress, depression, and anxiety.
If you’ve experienced any of these side effects, this article is your prescription for exercise.
Living in a pandemic can be difficult enough: limited activities, lack of human interaction with friends and family, on top of being a college student during a pandemic.
With numerous discussion boards piling up, Zoom calls every other hour, and having to do all of it from the confined spaces of our bedrooms, life can feel pretty uneasy right now.
Daniel Rosney, assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Kinesiology, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences program, has devoted his professional career, through his primary research interest, to the role of exercise and nutrition on stress levels and quality of life. Rosney offers the scientific and neurological pieces of the puzzle to best encompass the importance of physical activity for students.
Stress and anxiety are not just empty words that students tend to throw around or manufacture. Whether it be in the form of sleep deprivation, heartburn, upset stomach, or any other physical complication, these feelings are real because, as Rosney emphasizes, stress will physically manifest itself if it does not have an outlet.
In order to best relieve stress, cease anxious thoughts or get out of a funk, neurological releases in the form of movement are where students should start. Exercise is naturally an anti-anxiety treatment that alleviates strain and stress, boosts physical and mental energy and enhances wellbeing, according to Rosney.
The idea of working out tends to conjure up ideas of rigor and intensity that can be quite intimidating. Exercise, however, is meant to be a fun activity that one can find enjoyment in.
Through the release of chemicals called endorphins, like serotonin and dopamine, the human brain’s pleasure center is able to feel this sense of joy because one is able to finally “zone out”. This feeling enables the mind, for the time being, to let go of or forget any stresses or anxieties that the brain was focused on because the endorphins take over and revitalize our mood.
Any “grounding sensations” we experience while working out, like the wind in our hair when we run or the rhythm of our breathing, allows our brain to be reenergized and reinvigorated, post workout.
“Adding this mindfulness element really focuses on your body and how you feel as you exercise and you’ll improve your physical conditioning faster, but also be able to interrupt the flow of constant worries throughout your head,” Rosney said.
The first and most important part of working out is trying a bunch of different activities and finding which one works best for you and your mind. There are so many options: socially distanced outdoor walking, jogging, running, going on a bike ride, doing a yoga flow, or following along to a workout video from YouTube. These are all ways to get your body moving in a safe manner, either in nature or the comfort of your own home.
If 30 minutes or one hour feels too long, take a break in between Zoom calls, stand up, and just do five to ten minutes of movement a day. It’s always good to start somewhere. There is no pressure or one singular definition of exercise one must abide by.
Olivia Kagen, otherwise known as @liv__happy__ on Instagram, is a Temple alumna, who has her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, and is a certified fitness trainer.
Kagen first fell in love with sports as a young girl, which eventually turned into a love for the gym. She shares that love with others via her training and inspiring Instagram page.
Kagen is no stranger to all the various styles of exercise, through her own experiences or those of clients, and holds the belief that there is no singular definition for exercising or being healthy. She believes it is different for every individual.
“Everything I do in life, including my gym schedule and the foods I eat are customized to work specifically for me,” Kagan said. “I eat what I eat because I enjoy the taste of the foods and how it makes me feel. The same goes for my passion for bodybuilding and my goal to inspire others to pursue their own fitness and lifestyle goals.”
Working out is not all about the physical changes. It is about the empowering impact it has on the mind. Exercise goes beyond physical movement, as it can strengthen one’s brain and teach it new skills.
“I learned how to keep consistent routines in my life which help me budget time and have brought me a lot of success,” Kagan says.
Whether it is hitting the gym, teaching a group fitness class, or working one-on-one with a client, Kagen recognizes exercise as something greater than simply lifting weights or burning calories. Especially being a mentor, she says, it’s important to approach training and exercise with the brain and body in mind.
“Mental and physical health are equally important when working with clients,” Kagan says. “You need to approach each client holistically, and build a trusting relationship to have successful training sessions. Mentoring clients is more than teaching exercises. It’s teaching a lifestyle.”
This semester, it’s important we remember that, despite all the craziness going on in the world, we are still in control of our life, our mood, and our wellbeing. Combat stressful, anxious, and discouraging thoughts by moving our body in our own little ways.
Start today and your mind will thank you.