By: Timothy Moon

Walking through the school hallways, many MRHS students foster contrasting relationships with exercise. Some play sports with a team, fighting to get the ball into the net or across the field, while others care only about how they can maximize how much weight they can bench and intake a whole chicken for its protein. Exercise is an important part of everyone’s lives. While it shows commitment and a strong passion, it also exemplifies positive effects on health and mindset.

   Experts recommend that teens get 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. Many students agree with this statement as it benefits their mind and body, while also preventing diseases. In a well rounded athlete there are many parts to their routine. Looking at an iron-man athlete, they would include aerobic, strength, and flexibility training. 

   Exercise also affects everyday life in ways people don’t always think about. There are many different effects that working out can have on sleep, energy, and focus too. It also impacts mental health and confidence. 

   “I heard [exercise] gives you more energy throughout the day,” sophomore Devam Patel stated.    According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Many studies have suggested that the parts of the brain that control thinking and memory are larger in volume in people who exercise than in people who don’t.” 

   Around four fifths of students who were interviewed also stated that they take part in a sport inside or outside of school. Most of these sports require conditioning, like wrestling has lots of different endurance and physical training. Football would have different drills, practicing and testing how quickly they can line up onto the field. Team sports not only build a sense of team building, but foster some of the greatest friendships. A friend’s support is something that creates a positive connection between students and exercise.

   “A great factor of motivation is to find a friend and start going to the gym. They will keep you accountable and you will keep them accountable for missing workouts,” Patel mentioned. 

   It is all about lending a helping hand. Going through a self-improvement journey is difficult alone, but with teammates, friends and coaches, it makes all the difference. They can make sure that students are going all out everyday, not eating unhealthy food, have proper form for any of the workouts students are doing, or even help others with their own journeys.

   However, one reason why most people don’t exercise is because of their mindset. Often students want to start working out and plan everything they want to do. They will start a healthy diet, do daily workouts, and even go as far as to buy new stuff for their planned routine.    Although, after a week or two, many drop all the plans they created. This is a major problem in exercise. Even though most agree it’s important, many just don’t have the proper mindset to do it. Although it’s almost a trick question, in order to get the mindset needed to exercise, the best way is to simply exercise.

   Overall, students want to exercise, but they need the right mindset and the right support system. Exercise works with academics, confidence, and energy throughout the school day. It helps prevent obesity, improves long-term health, and gives students something to work toward.    Whether it’s for a sport, for personal growth, or for fun, exercise keeps students active, focused, and committed. Exercise isn’t just for athletes. It’s for anyone who wants to improve themselves, physically or mentally. Even if it starts small, staying active can help teens live healthier lives, and sometimes, all it takes is one good friend or a good mindset to get them started.