{"id":1571,"date":"2021-10-29T15:18:03","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T19:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/business\/?p=1571"},"modified":"2021-10-29T15:18:03","modified_gmt":"2021-10-29T19:18:03","slug":"how-moving-your-body-helps-you-succeed-as-an-mba-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/business\/2021\/10\/29\/how-moving-your-body-helps-you-succeed-as-an-mba-student\/","title":{"rendered":"How Moving Your Body Helps You Succeed as an MBA Student\u202f"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s no secret that\u202fexercise\u202fis a key component of a healthy lifestyle. But while this advice is repeated often enough to feel\u00a0clich\u00e9, the people who stand to benefit most from\u00a0<\/span>physical activity<\/span>\u00a0also struggle the most to build it into their daily lives.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a clear problem for today’s\u202f<\/span>MBA students<\/span><\/a>,<\/span>\u00a0who,\u00a0while\u00a0juggling a variety of tasks and deadlines, often\u00a0let\u202fexercise\u202ffall by the wayside. This is a huge mistake, however, as a lack of\u00a0<\/span>physical activity<\/span>\u00a0can have a devastating impact not only on general health and wellness, but also on academic\u202fperformance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep reading to learn why regular\u202fexercise\u202fis such a crucial component of the graduate\u00a0student\u00a0experience. Along the way, you’ll discover how even moderate amounts of\u00a0<\/span>physical<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>activity<\/span>\u00a0can completely transform\u00a0your\u202fperformance\u202fin\u00a0the classroom, on the job, and in all walks of life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Increases Your\u202fFocus<\/h2>\n

Rigorous academic work requires exceptional\u202fattention,\u00a0so it can be frustrating when your mind continually wanders during important study sessions. Thankfully,\u00a0<\/span>physical activity<\/span>\u00a0can make a discernible difference as you strive to\u202fimprove\u202fyour\u202ffocus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Research<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span>reveals that acute sessions of intense activity\u00a0can\u202fimprove\u202fconcentration for a full two hours. Shockingly, these benefits can be realized even if you’re only able\u00a0to\u202fexercise\u202ffor a few minutes at a time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The takeaway? When you’re struggling to stay focused on the task at hand, it may be worth your while to take a break and move your body for a few minutes. You can always return to your studies later. A quick power walk may be all that stands between you and exceptional powers of concentration.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u202f<\/span>Sharper Memory\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

No matter how capable you feel of focusing on coursework, this ability will do you little good if you are later unable to recall what you’ve learned.\u00a0A strong memory is crucial when pursuing your Master of Business of Administration, so it can be worrisome to find that you’re unable to recall information you’ve already examined several times.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news? Exercising your body may also serve to\u202fexercise\u202fyour mind, so you’re<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>better<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>capable of storing knowledge and retrieving it when needed.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>Research from the University of British Columbia<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span>verifies what experts have long suspected:\u00a0<\/span>Regular physical activity<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>dynamically\u00a0changes the brain in ways that\u202fimprove\u202fmemory. Most notably?\u00a0Aerobic\u202fexercise\u202fcan increase the size of the hippocampus, which is largely responsible for verbal memory.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond this direct impact, it’s important to consider the many indirect concerns that damage memory \u2014 and how they can be addressed via\u202fexercise.\u00a0Stress, for example, has a marked\u00a0negative\u202feffect\u202fon memory, as does fatigue.\u202fExercise\u202fcan be used to fix both problems, as described below.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Makes You Happier\/Lowers Your Stress<\/h2>\n

Grad\u202fschool\u202fcan be stressful even under the best of circumstances. Rigorous classes, strict deadlines, and competing demands of life all take their toll. That said, the natural stress that accompanies a major undertaking such as an\u00a0<\/span>MBA program<\/span>\u00a0need not be completely overwhelming. Simple strategies \u2014 like exercise\u00a0\u2014 make it easier to deal with stress, while also boosting your general mood and making you happier in the long run.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Exercise’s stress-busting abilities<\/span><\/a>\u202fcan be credited to endocannabinoids \u2014 substances that the body naturally produces. These are closely associated with the much-desired runner’s high. Thankfully, these chemicals can be accessed even if you aren’t willing to commit yourself to the most intense athletic activities. Their levels increase while exercising, easily moving through the bloodstream to reach the brain. There, these chemicals\u00a0are able to\u00a0swiftly suppress anxiety and promote serenity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On a long-term\u00a0basis,\u202fexercise\u202fcan make you feel happier with your day-to-day life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Encouraging research<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span>suggests\u00a0that\u202fexercise\u202fcould play a greater role in determining personal happiness than money. Happiness, in turn, boosts many of the functions we’ve already discussed, such as concentration and memory. In essence,\u202fexercise\u202fprompts an\u00a0upward spiral that, over time, improves both your\u00a0<\/span>physical health<\/span>\u00a0and your academic abilities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u202f<\/span>More Energy<\/h2>\n

Getting a solid night’s sleep is essential in all facets of life, but it’s particularly vital to meeting the academic demands of\u00a0grad\u202fschool.\u00a0Unfortunately, many\u00a0<\/span>MBA students<\/span>\u00a0struggle to get the quantity or quality of sleep they require. Research suggests that, on\u00a0average, grad students only sleep\u202f<\/span>6.4 hours per night<\/span><\/a>. For many, however, simply going to bed early isn’t the answer \u2014 it’s just a recipe for tossing and turning all night.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, the key to improving sleep \u2014 and with it, daytime energy \u2014 may involve a few\u00a0extra\u202fexercise\u202fsessions per week. Experts agree that\u202fexercise\u202fhas\u00a0a positive impact on sleep onset, or the amount of time it takes to fall asleep.\u202fExercise\u202fcan\u00a0also be used to address many chronic sleep issues, such as obstructive sleep apnea.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While most existing research focuses on the long-term impacts of increased\u202fexercise\u202fon\u00a0sleep, there is a strong indication that even a few\u202fexercise\u202fsessions\u00a0could have a positive<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>effect.\u00a0A study published in the\u202f<\/span>Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine<\/span><\/i><\/a>, for example, found that adults who engaged in moderate\u00a0<\/span>physical activity<\/span>\u00a0were less likely to experience anxiety prior to falling asleep.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u202fImproves\u00a0Overall Health\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

As we’ve previously discussed,\u202fexercise\u202fplays a huge role in maintaining optimal physical and emotional health. This, in turn,\u00a0can\u202fimprove\u202fyour<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>MBA\u00a0educational\u00a0experience<\/span>\u00a0as you’ll be far less occupied by health-related distractions if your mind and body are in great shape.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The following are just a few of the many documented ways in which\u202fexercise\u202fboosts\u00a0both short-term and long-term health outcomes:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n