Love always, Morgan: Suppress your stress, exercise

We all know that exercising releases endorphins and burns away chemicals that cause stress, but doesn't all that scientific stuff seem so far away from actually increasing our happiness? Like as we are working out we are physically waiting to feel like something is happening? Sometimes it seems like in my head I am saying, "alright endorphins, release yourselves already, make me happy." But it is important to think of the bigger picture and the ways working out really can make for a happier life.

Not only does a workout distract you from daily worries, it gives you a reason to breath and loosens up your muscles.

Aside from its direct stress-relieving benefits, exercise increases your overall health and well-being. Exercise increases self confidence, and decreases the symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.

It definitely isn't something a patient wants to hear, when seeking a doctor for anxiety or a depression-related illnesses. "You should do some yoga, or start running." It really just seems impossible that it will do anything to help anytime soon.

College students spend hours of their time studying, writing papers, and doing homework. All of this involves sitting down and burning mental energy. Without the physical energy that exercising produces, the mind has a hard time functioning at its best ability. With the mind working at its highest performance level, a students grades are likely to be exceptional. Good grades make a student happy, right?

A healthy workout routine is also a key element for a great night of sleep. Obviously, if you burn more calories during the day, you will be more tired at night. But working out also keeps the body more awake during the day, preventing naps. This provides a student with more time to get things done, and also promotes a greater night of sleep.

It is so simple to work out as a college student. Most schools have more than one free gym right on campus. There are millions of sports and active clubs that a student can join that will allow them to be active.

Working out daily will make a student look better, feel healthier, sleep better, and academically perform better. It helps to manage stress, and prevent long term health risks.