Monday, December 14, 2009

Perfect Storm for Exercise:


The tip for Monday, December 14, 2009 from the IASA Daily Tips for Superintendents Calendar is “The purpose of time management is not that you become so efficient that you get more work done, rather it is so you will get more efficient to leave work on time and spend time with family or get some personal time for exercise or time with friends.” We placed this tip in December close to the holidays to remind you to spend time with family and friends and to also focus you toward exercise in this time of parties and excesses in food and drink.

The perfect storm story relates to the book I am presently reading (listening to while I am running) Brain Rules by John Medina. In this book the author describes the 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home and school. The first rule is “exercise boosts brain power.” Medina explains how the human brain developed over time and that even though it only weighs two percent of the human body it consumes 20% of the body’s energy. Did you know that researchers have proved that the benefits from exercise not only increase a person’s physical health it also increases the ability of the mind. Thus, this gives you another good reason to continue to exercise if you already do and start exercising at 30 minutes per day three days per week if you do not currently exercise.

The book points to studies down with students in school. Students that exercised two times per day while in school actually did better on language, reading and the basic battery of tests. (Medina, 2008). Medina points out that some schools and employers are experimenting with placing treadmills in classrooms and offices. The picture above is of a student working on a computer while walking slowly on a treadmill at a university:

Did you know that “Aerobic exercise just twice a week halves your risk of general dementia. It cuts your risk of Alzheimer’s by 60 percent.” (Medina, 2008, p.28)

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