If you have been looking for a reason to start exercising, look no further. While many people know that exercise helps you to look good and feel good, most people do not realize how extensive the advantages go, especially for the brain. Integrating exercise and activity throughout your every day life and during school hours makes students less antsy and more focused on learning. Research shows that exercise is in fact, “one of the most important ways to get the most out of your brain physically and mentally.” In short, staying in shape can actually make you smarter.

Although researchers are not completely certain how exercise leads to better cognitive functions, they do know how it physically helps the brain. For starters, aerobic exercise is said to pump more blood throughout the body, including the brain. More blood means more oxygen to the brain. Exercise also causes the brain to produce more of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF. This strong protein is said to cause brain cells to grow and strengthen in new ways.

Recently in this study, researchers have turned their interest towards children and teenagers. The brain, throughout the school years, keeps growing. Therefore, exercising daily and staying in shape could help to speed up the development of their brains.

Saying exercise makes you smarter isn’t a lie to get kids to start exercising. It’s the truth and students who exercise can tell you. Rianna Patel (10) said,”Doing track every day has helped me to feel more energy and be more awake for all my work I have to do” and Courtney Poon (10) on the tennis team stated “I feel replenished and energetic after a match.” People who do not exercise will feel the exact opposite as people who do. They will be in a worse mood and will feel less energy, barely being able to stay awake in class therefore not learning anything.

Researchers believe that the more regular your exercise routine, the more long-term benefits for the brain, so it is important to keep working out regularly. For people who might be feeling motivated to exercise in the hope of doing better in school, but don’t have time, there are ways you can incorporate exercise into your day. It is too important to not make it a priority. A regular workout, whatever it may be, will make students feel as smart as they truly are.