Other than socializing to the best of your ability given restricting circumstances, there is nothing more important during a pandemic than fitness. I’m not asking you to look like a Greek god (though no one is stopping you), but even incorporating at least an hour of relatively high intensity exercise into each day will give you many benefits. For one, making exercise part of your routine will enforce an aspect of structure to your day and will give you reassurance of productivity. Of course, working out improves your physique, but the most significant benefit is how it makes you feel. I have talked with countless people who say that exercising regularly has given them a sense of purpose again and that they now have something to look forward to and focus on. The biggest threat, other than COVID-19, in this pandemic is depression; not just making exercise a part of your life but enjoying it is the “mental” vaccine during these times. When you engage in consistent strenuous exercise, it is proven that it upregulates your dopamine receptors and increases dopamine levels. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which you experience every day; for example, when you get a text from a significant other in your life leading to feelings of happiness. The brain also releases endorphins during exercise. This leads to extremely positive feelings in your body, similar to those induced by morphine. ​The feeling following release of endorphins, also called a “runner’s high,” will fill you with energy and can sometimes be accompanied by a positive outlook on life. 

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Above all else, I personally think that having an exercise routine will finally force students to get good sleep.

The benefits of exercise come in a very long list, but the next step is getting over that gym anxiety of yours. Take it from me, I have been lifting almost daily for over four years now, and I still get gym anxiety often. It's the one thing that keeps people out of the weight room. The truth is that it does not matter what you look like when you start.  Most gym goers will agree that seeing new gym goers transformation is really cool. The best are the ones who want to make that choice for themselves, not for anyone else, and in a time where self-care is prioritized more, this is the best kind of self-care you can get.

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If you are worried people are judging you, don’t, because they are far more concerned with whether they should go up ten pounds or not in their next set. If your excuse is that you are far too busy, well you’re in luck because it has been found that walking at a fast pace on a treadmill on an incline is more efficient than running, as it is easier on your knees. This is not to say that running is bad, but walking on an incline is a great alternative. Most importantly, there is a treadmill with a desk in the Honors Center for you to do computer work while you walk, although there is not an incline on option. There is also one at the Recreation and Wellness Center, so now it’s just up to you to take that initiative for yourself, and not just because a gym rat like myself is telling you to in your school paper.

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