When it comes to teaching today’s younger members, there’s one important thing to bear in mind – you’re dealing with the most stressed demographics around. According to the GlobeScan Radar Trends Report, Gen Z is experiencing more stress than any other generation, with 35% saying they feel stressed or anxious most or all the time. Supporting these strung-out individuals to understand the mental health benefits of exercise could help set them up for life. We also have a new study that reveals the one workout that has a particularly powerful effect.
The findings come after Dr. Gillian Hatfield and a team of researchers from the University of Fraser Valley, focused on one of the most stressful situations many young people face - exams. Likely triggered by fear of failure, past mistakes or intense perfectionism, exam anxiety can be seriously detrimental and sabotage anyone’s ability to study, rationalise and focus. Studies show that such anxiety can have a negative effect on academic achievement and when test anxiety is reduced, performance levels improve.
“Previous research has shown that breathing techniques and relaxation can help, but we wanted to explore whether performing yoga directly before an exam would be beneficial,” explains Dr. Hatfield. Working with a group of students, they identified that when students did a short BODYBALANCE® workout before their exam, they significantly reduced their anxiety levels. The reduction in anxiety didn't happen when they spent the same amount of time doing pre-exam studying. “What we found is that a well-designed exercise session can deliver immediate benefits in a high-stress situation,” says Dr. Hatfield. “The calming effects of BODYBALANCE clearly helped students enter the exam with lower anxiety levels and we know from past studies that lower anxiety levels can be key to improved performance.”
Improved academic performance isn’t the only way BODYBALANCE can help your members to fine-tune their life. Previous research shows that when individuals add a short BODYBALANCE session to their routine it can help improve sleep, increase motivation and boost confidence – at the same time as reducing feelings of sadness, anxiety and tension.
Of course, it’s not only BODYBALANCE that offers mind soothing benefits. Research shows that lifting weights is a surefire way to ease feelings of stress and anxiety. Cardio exercise and HIIT training are shown to have a positive effect on mental wellbeing, symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological stress. Pilates-inspired moves can reduce stress while boosting mood, energy and motivation.
Find out more about the mental health benefits of different workouts (with personal insights from different trainers).
TRY THESE WORKOUTS TO BOOST MENTAL HEALTH
