How to Manage Your Body to Improve Your Mind

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How to Manage Your Body to Improve Your Mind
All throughout academia and higher education in general, advice can be found on how to learn or how to more effectively absorb the knowledge that is being presented. While there is plenty of information to be found on how to take notes or how to review for a test. There is the equally important but much less talked about impact of the body and mind connection. The impact of having a body that is malnourished or sleep deprived can greatly affect the minds ability to pay attention to, or recall what has been learned.
While there have been numerous studies involving alcohol or drugs and the effects it can have on the body and mind, the intent of this paper will be to focus on a healthy lifestyle. The effects of a foreign substance in the body are well known to have a negative impact on mental abilities. It would be more advantageous for the majority of people to determine how much time they should devote to sleep or exercise and what kind of foods they should eat. Then armed with this knowledge they could not only feel better, but could perform better.
Why is it important to know how much exercise is enough? Exercise raises serotonin levels, lowers the production of stress hormones like cortisol and if outside can increase the skins production of vitamin D an essential nutrient for strong bones. (More evidence 2011) Dealing with finals can be hard enough but if you add into that missed days from being sick, it might be overwhelming. Moderate exercise can also reinforce your immune system which can help you fight off a cold or the flu. (More evidence 2011) Numerous studies have shown a connection between fitness and improved memory. Frequent exercise leads to increased brain-deriv...

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... which lead to lack of sleep or an overtaxed mind. There have been numerous stories of people that skip breakfast in the morning rushing to school, only to find they are unable to focus on the test or lecture due to hunger pains. No matter how well intentioned our study habits are, if the health of our bodies is not up to the challenge it may not be possible to rise to the occasion

References
Cohen I. (1979) Stress and Wound Healing Cells Tissues Organs, 103 134-141 doi: 10.1159/000145004
More Evidence for a Potent Mind-Body Connection (2011). Running & FitNews, 29(6)18-20

Parmeggiani, P.L. Velluti, Ricardo A.(2005) Physiologic nature of sleep. London, GBR: Imperial College Press
Paul, M. Panton, C. & Marzigliano. N. (2008) Do Students With Healthy Habits Perform Better in Their Academics? Proceedings Of The Academy Of Educational Leadership (AEL), 13(2) 47-54

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