One of my favorite hobbies on campus is to work out at the West Campus Wellness and Recreation Center. It’s one way I can stay active and clear my mind every day!
Staying active on campus is essential for both physical health and emotional well-being. As we juggle academics, social life and often part-time jobs, incorporating consistent exercise into our routines can be challenging. However, prioritizing movement can lead to improved happiness and productivity, making it vital for us students to discover effective ways to stay active.
The best ways I stay active include using the campus facilities. We already pay for them in tuition and being on campus for long hours, why not make use of the free time and explore all of the places designed on campus to get our bodies moving?
I personally love the West Campus gym. Gym, rec center or whatever you want to call it; the building has multiple facilities that I use on the regular.
The first is the gym itself. Each day I go solo or with a friend to keep accountability and go through something I call a “mini full body” routine. Do I look a little insane doing a little bit of every muscle group each day? Yes. Do I feel the burn, enjoy the process and continue to keep my body moving? Also yes.
I also have heard great things from my friends about the workout classes taught in the mornings and at night in the studio! From pilates to spin to hot yoga, the possibilities are endless to try something new and create new memories with friends by taking a class.
Forming exercise groups with friends can significantly boost motivation. Whether it’s a morning run, a weekend hike, or an intramural sports team, engaging in physical activities as a group fosters accountability and camaraderie. Sharing fitness goals and celebrating achievements together enhances the enjoyment of exercise, making it less of a chore and more of a shared experience.
An added benefit to staying active is keeping a balance in your life as well as maintaining good health and well-being.
“For me, well-being means to have a sense of self-awareness of who you are and where you are at the moment, and to be able to know what your limits are, to identify what you’re willing to do and then what you need to do to move toward your goals,” said Maria Klawe, a writer for Forbes
Magazine. “So first of all, it’s self-awareness. The second way I would define well-being is a sense of balance. But balance does not mean equal. People often talk about work/life balance as if they’re both equal. But that is never going to happen, and it shouldn’t happen. For me, balance means knowing that you are devoting the right amount of time to your priorities. The main thing is to identify your priorities and invest your time accordingly.”
My main accountability partner is my friend Karsyn Jewell. She truly embodies taking care of yourself and being truly happy and healthy. We discussed what other ways some students may not think of when wanting to be more active, but she came up with some great ideas.
“I love going on runs and walks in nature because being in the sun and around nature brings me peace,” said Jewell, a senior mass communication. major. “A much needed mental break helps me not be stressed. Prioritize time and have time management too. Do what works for your schedule and don’t compare yourself to others! I can’t go to the gym every day but I can always make time to do something small. Start with that!”
With Jewell’s ideas in mind, my second way to stay active is drawing inspiration from her favorite way to stay active – going for a run or walking outside!
We are so lucky to go to school on a campus that is so picturesque. My not-so-hidden gem of a place to walk or run has to be also on West Campus at the intramural fields, especially the circular loop!
This increase in exercise reminds me of a study I read a little while back that happened at Emory University. They wanted to implement a program called “Flourish Emory” to promote well-being among students.
“Last year marked the soft launch of Flourish Emory — an outgrowth of Emory’s Healthy Campus Initiative — with pilot events that included…. Happiness Bootcamp: A six-week program that strives to change campus culture by introducing positive psychology concepts grounded in research,” said Kimber Williams, a reporter for Emory.
Campus events focusing on health and wellness also play a crucial role in promoting an active lifestyle. GCSU throughout my time being on campus normally hosts a ton of health fairs, fun runs, or outdoor yoga sessions, encouraging students to participate while fostering a sense of school spirit. These events not only raise awareness about the importance of staying active but also offer students opportunities to try new sports or exercises they may not have considered before.
If you are fortunate to have time for a drive, the Milledgeville Greenway is gorgeous for walking, running or a little bit of both when debriefing with friends. Even taking the time to jog a path around campus can be a little joy throughout the days of the week.
The third and final way I stay active and what I hope can be taken away from my love of staying active and being outdoors, is my study method when I can be stuck on campus for multiple hours or locked in inside the library!
The best way I can take a study break from hours of “academic weaponing” as I like to call it is taking a full lap around the building I am in. You get to stretch your legs, take in some (somewhat) fresh air and take the much-needed break after cramming for a last minute test.
Staying active on campus is achievable through a combination of utilizing available facilities, integrating movement into daily life, forming exercise groups, participating in campus events, and exploring outdoor activities. By prioritizing exercise, students not only improve their physical fitness but also enhance their mental well-being, leading to a happier and healthier college experience.