Exercise

Why exercise?

1. You sleep better: there is a strong link between exercising and getting better sleep. If you get better quality sleep then you feel more energised the next day
2. It reduces your stress levels: exercise releases ‘feel good hormones’ produced by your brain into your body that give you a natural ‘high’, helping you to reduce your stress levels and leaving you better able to cope
3. It makes you physically and mentally stronger: exercise not only gives your body a work out, it’s good for your brain too
4. It gives you more energy 
5. It improves your coordination and balance: having good balance and coordination, and core strength, which you can develop through exercise, helps you to have better posture and a stronger spine
6. It improves your cardiovasicular fitness: by increasing your heart rate, you strengthen your heart, increase stamina, improve blood flow, burn fat and improve your body’s ability to deliver oxygen and energy to your muscles.
7. It increases your self-confidence: as you get stronger and healthier, you may also feel happier and more confident.

Simple ways to get exercise in:

1. Walk to school: if you live within walking distance from school, making the journey to and from school on foot every weekday is a great way of getting more exercise into your routine.
2. Always take the stairs
3. Get moving at lunchtime: after you’ve been sitting in lessons all morning, make the most of your lunch break to stretch your legs and get moving. Head outside for a walk or grab a football for a kick about with friends; anything that gets you active during the day.
4. Make your bed every morning: making your bed first thing in the morning is a really easy way to get your muscles moving.
5. Tackle the house hold chores: it might not sound like a great deal of fun, but helping around the house is a fab way of getting more daily exercise.