Why Exercise is Important for Learning a New Language

Introduction:

Exercise, from running to weightlifting, is widely understood as a way to build endurance, muscle, and physical health. But what some people may not be aware of is that exercise can also build the mind. Specifically, learning processes and decreasing stress levels allow the brain to learn and comprehend faster. The increased blood pressure after a workout can also cause your body to be active and alert.

Exercise Wakes up the Mind:

Many people are sluggish and tired throughout the day. It makes sense as work or school is tiring, and constantly taking in information for several hours for periods at a time harms your overall health. It also affects your mood and learning as your brain is overloaded with information. The immense amount of information also causes your brain to shut off because it needs a reset. This is where exercise comes into play. It doesn’t necessarily matter what routine you choose to follow. Cardio, weightlifting, high-intensity interval training, plyometrics, or even a walk all show positive effects on the brain. Because you are putting your brain to understand stress from physical activities. Your brain needs to be more alert so it doesn’t negatively impact your body. For example, imagine running a 10k; you cannot run it without your brain recruiting all of the nerves and muscle fibers in your body. The brain figures out ways to stabilize the body’s system and, as a result, becomes more alert. Athletes and individuals who exercise consistently have built adaptations from stress placed on the body. It works because the stress increases blood flow to the brain, increases oxygen intake, and releases chemicals that positively impact your brain and body. Have you noticed that after an exercise period, you feel more concentrated or at ease? It is because exercise also decreases mental stress from work, school, or other factors. That is one of the most significant benefits of exercise. Because exercise releases endorphins, molecules that decrease stress levels, your mind can concentrate better without unnecessary weight carrying it down. Overall, exercise is a positive benefit for the brain and the body.

Exercise Improves Memory:

There are a lot of scientific processes and detailed explanations for the exercise’s impact on memory. A general conclusion is that exercise does help memory and cognitive processes. The increased blood flow to the brain builds and connects neural pathways more effectively. Think of it as a road network. Exercise helps reduce traffic, which allows you to travel faster and more efficiently. Since your brain is able to work faster, it is also able to process information at a more effective rate. Brain plasticity, neurogenesis, and BDNF are improved and expanded upon through exercise, and overall will increase performance throughout your day. Try exercising for 30 minutes, and review flashcards and grammar rules; the results will show improvement rather than stuffing your brain repeatedly with information. The brain needs a break, and exercise complements it perfectly.

Exercise + English:

It is amazing how many applications English is used in. It can essentially be integrated with anything with a proper structure and schedule. A great thing about exercise is that it can be added anywhere to your studying without harming your learning. The only drawback is that you will need to dedicate time to a set exercise curriculum and routine. But it is completely pivotal for increasing learning speed and mastery. Try to add it at the end of a learning session. The increased blood flow to the brain will help with recall and build connections with what you’ve learned. It is beautiful that exercise has such a positive impact on humans in general. We all should utilize it as it positively improves our physical and mental health. Some people may believe the lost time for exercising can be used for supplementary studying. However, the brain is already overloaded, and exercise offers an essential break for recovery and mood. It is difficult to learn something when the brain is inactive; exercise allows the brain to function at full activity.

Conclusion:

Exercise is a quintessential activity we all should consider and add to our schedules. Even for extremely occupied individuals, a small 15-20 minute routine can seriously improve their brain and cognitive function. Exercise is not only for muscles, but also for your brain. You’re training your brain constantly, and as a result, it will improve your overall mood. There are times when we need to set aside books and YouTube videos and start a set of 20 pushups. Hope through English wants to spread awareness about English, but we also want our learners and speakers to be mentally and physically strong. Strong minds take us far in our own worlds, and exercise carves the path for ambition.