It's a marathon, not a sprint!

Even from the first few weeks, the traps of busy life may start to feel consuming, with uni studies, work commitments and social life all competing to be your #1 priority. For most of us at Platute, we know how overwhelming the balancing act can become, and especially finding the time to exercise amid the chaos.

Warm up

Set yourself up for greatness each semester by warming up effectively, as you would for a marathon. Much like the daunting task of running a marathon, starting a new semester can be stressful and you may notice heightened levels of anxiety and decreased concentration which is associated with lack of sleep and changes in routine. As a busy student, exercise should be a priority to enable success in your studies and maintain a healthy lifestyle. By scheduling just 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day you can stay mentally sharp and physically healthy. 

Ready, set...bang!

You begin to run, the music in your ears takes you to a new high and your heart is pumping oxygen and blood through your body is flowing. The process of exercising helps your mind switch from thinking about the mammoth block of exams and rather focus on breaking this into a series of bite-sized hurdles. How? Even from your first steps the brain is trained to encourage nerve cells to bind together. This chemical process is the cellular basis for creating new memories and logging retainable information, ready for recall. 

The Race

Exercise stimulates the brain and creates happy hormones called ‘endorphins’ which increase energy levels, motivation and positive emotions. As you move, your body begins to control the emotional and physical feelings of stress, warding off the effects of anxiety and reversing them; centring calm and collected thoughts. While you exercise your body revamps and becomes increasingly alert. Regular exercise will leave you with more energy, a softer mood and reduced levels of stress. 

Cool Down

The cool down is a vital aspect of running a marathon. This is where you slow down, reflect, stretch and breathe. The run has re-routed your brain’s circuits, reduced muscle tension and created new outcomes to combat study stress. You are experiencing a ‘runner's high’ which a drop in stress hormones and the ultimate mood booster. Now, you can return to your studies with a fresh, focused mind, a positive mood and experience improvements in brain function. 

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If assignments and studies are leaving you frustrated and worn out, help is only a few clicks away. Platute is a free resource that connects you to available tutors. These experienced mentors can help you with any subject down to course specific units.