The way in which taking part in sports and physical activities can keep you focused in school. Kids nowadays have a lot of excuses to spend time indoors rather than playing outside and being physically active. In this era of technology, kids are more prone to spend time at home, lounging in bed or on the sofa watching the latest series on Netflix, messaging their friends or scrolling through their social media pages.
There are numerous reasons why children need physical exercise on a daily basis. Physical exercise can improve health and fitness as well as boost mental wellbeing. Regular exercise promotes healthy bones and joints, builds endurance and muscle strength, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight. Being active increases energy and even fosters self-esteem which children need from a young age.
Sadly, life now has become a little too comfortable. The need for physical activity has decreased drastically. We have almost everything from cars to travel, lifts to avoid stairs, to laptops to entertain ourselves, depriving us from that daily exercise we need. Kids need to be physically active and parents can encourage their children to develop the habit of daily exercise as early as today to lay the groundwork for a lifetime of good health.
Hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine greatly affect one’s ability to study effectively
Studies have shown that there is in fact a direct connection between exercise and the benefits it can have in academics. Significant changes in the productivity levels can be seen when a child is active and exercises regularly. Physical activity can help a child be more energized and refreshed after long sessions of studying or staying idle at work. This results in the mind being able to grasp things more clearly and boosts productivity. In a study done at the University of British Columbia, researchers found that regular aerobic exercise which focuses on cardio appears to boost the size of the hippocampus.
Many studies have suggested that the parts of the brain that control thinking and memory have greater volume in people who exercise versus people who don’t. Exercise plays a vital role in the release of several key hormones which affect the capability of a person to study better.
Hormones such as serotonin, the famed mood booster, dopamine which affects learning and attention, and norepinephrine which influences attention, perception, motivation and arousal are released which can greatly affect one’s ability to study effectively. This chemical high can have an immense impact. This elevation of neurotransmitters in the brain has proven to help us focus, feel better and release tension.
These days, kids have to be under a lot of pressure from school which leads them to experience a lot of stress. Stress levels can be drastically reduced if they decide to exercise more. According to a study presented last year at the American College of Sports Medicine's annual meeting, exercise can improve one’s ability to deal with stress and have a more positive outlook in tough situations (read it here).
Parents can make sure that their child is receiving adequate physical action for them to stay active and energized. Exercise can be extremely beneficial in improving a child’s well being as well as help in their ability to perform better at academics.
Author: Nabeelah Bulpitt
Posted: 11 Feb 2020
Estimated time to read: 2 mins
