As we head into the new year and approach exam season, use these exercise and wellness tips to stay sharp and ready to tackle January head-on!
1 – Share your favourites, with your favourites
Why not start your day by having breakfast with or going for a 15 to 20-minute stroll with your flatmates or friends? Good company is proven to promote Oxytocin which builds connection - this promotes dopamine, relieves stress, better sleep and productivity.
2 – Try a new type of start
Stretch, do some silent meditation, listen to nature sounds or LoFi music whilst you get ready in the morning. Calming sounds are proven to produce Dopamine and Serotonin, the two most influential “feel-good hormones” in inducing productivity and cognition.
3 – Can’t do a lengthy workout? Try one of our 30-minute 8am classes!
Don’t let time become a limiting factor. Studies prove that prioritising a workout, even if only a short 20 to 30 minute one, to start your day, promotes productivity and better time management. Take advantage of our 30 mins 8am classes, running every weekday morning! This is reinforced by the fact that your stress and anxiety levels are reduced, so you operate in a calmer sphere and produce better results overall as the day progresses.
4 – Don’t go solo? Grab a friend!
We get it, not everyone likes to come to the gym by themselves and the benefits exist to be shared too – so why not bring a friend? Studies show that learning new skills with others boosts interpersonal qualities which are directly linked to personal, academic and professional success. We also run a buddy system which you can enquire about by asking any member of staff.
5 - Wind down, the right way
We all love a good time, but sometimes we need a different approach to the evening, and this is where our evening classes come in! Try out Yoga, Pilates or Barre on weekday evenings. Research shows that this reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) production, leading to deeper sleep. Deeper sleep is the leading factor toward improved immunity and motivation levels, especially useful during these colder months.
6. Maximise your facilities, feel accomplished
We work with you to keep you productive and stress-free. Speak to use about a FREE 6-week gym programme and a member of staff can book you into an appointment, effectively taking you from just turning up, to having your next month and half planned out and taken care of! With us providing bi-weekly check-in's with all programmes, your productivity, sense of accomplishment and enjoyment levels both in and out of the gym are sure to produce better results in all areas!
7. Connect with nature
Early walks in the physical presence of more natural environments such as parks or areas of greenery are proven to connect us with our peaceful cognitive state and promote benefits such as lowered stress levels of cortisol level decreases of up to 15%; the terminology is quite literally called “being grounded” as we come in contact with the produce of the earth. It’s why people go for barefoot walks on grass or on sandy beaches, with the intention of coming away more productive or developing deeper cognitive control.
Staying physically active, whether it be by yourself, with a friend or in a workout class can provide a wide range of benefits, namely the promotion of a positive chemical balance. Dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin are just a few of the feel-good hormones produced when your uptake in physical activity now becomes a habit.
Not only does your mood drastically improve, but your cognitive skills, memory retention, motor function and interpersonal skills also take a steep climb as you situate yourself in areas that are designed to challenge and grow you, both physically and psychologically. Your productivity levels improve, and you get work done more efficiently.
Added benefits of exercise include but aren’t limited to; lowered stress levels, an increased sense of determination, a genuinely fostered satisfaction in accomplishment, and the comprehensive completion of tasks which now feel more rewarding altogether.