How often do you guys exercise? Or do you guys even workout? Many people often overlook the importance of exercise and the benefits it has for one’s health and one’s body. I’m guilty of thinking that I don’t need exercise because I’m already underweight for my age group. I often feel like because I’m skinny, exercising will make me lose weight. I failed to realize that other workouts don’t make you lose weight and instead improve your health. No matter your body figure is or even age – of course, if you’re able to- exercising is crucial because it helps you live longer, reduce the risk of diseases, and even improve your mental health and mood.

I would never have believed someone if they told me that exercise could contribute to reducing stress; not because I’m stubborn but because how could something so easy help with a serious issue like stress? What sort of connection did exercising have with health? I realized this when I was working on my class assignments. I felt a little bit stressed out and took a break. I did a few light exercises and went back to work, and surprisingly, I felt less stressed and better about the assignments.

Later on that day, I worked out for about an hour.  I realized that exercising may not be easy but the benefits are endless. I decided to include exercise as a daily regime and incorporated exercise in everything I did whether it be studying, cleaning, or even watching tv (during commercials). Now, I won’t lie, there were some days where I just didn’t feel motivated or felt tired but still kept exercising and I found myself feeling much happier and less stressed. Exercise can help reduce stress, which in return helps you stay focused in class, and it can contribute to improving your mood. I could see through my grades the impact that exercise had on me. Whenever I would walk into the gym I would always see a lot of people in the gym; I would always wonder why there were so many people in the gym. I realize now that many of them were in there to get in good shape and others were there to get their mind in better shape. Do you guys ever go to the gym to relieve stress? How has exercise benefited you? #JustThink