Sometimes, you learn exceptionally valuable things in class that have little to do with academics. I remember during winter quarter this year, my biology professor asked students in his lecture if they exercised every day. When only a small fraction raised their hands, he was shocked and exclaimed, “Do you think you don’t have time to exercise? You’re WRONG! You don’t have time NOT to exercise.” 

Thus, Professor Schein began an impassioned lecture espousing the benefits of physical fitness. He explained us that every single morning, weather permitting, he rises early to head to the Santa Monica beach, where he swims for 45 minutes, before taking a shower, hopping in his car, and heading to his laboratory. When the weather is gloomy, cold, or otherwise unfavorable, he opts for the gym.  Although he may not be able to swim in the open ocean every day, he never misses a day of exercise.

The professor has excellent justification for his commitment to physical fitness. According to the Mayo Clinic, a consistent exercise routine not only helps manage weight and improve heart and lung condition, but also increases sleep quality and helps improve mood.  Other research has indicated that exercise helps reduce stress, has positive effects on mental acuity, and can even prevent cancer.

Like many of my peers, I had fallen into the trap of feeling I simply couldn’t eek out an hour from my hectic schedule to hit the jogging trail.  However, if the professor was right, it seemed I would more than make up for the hour in the gym or on the jogging trail with improved productivity later in the day.

So, I decided to try out his advice and began running the “perimeter” of UCLA on a daily basis.  This 4 mile hilly path which surrounds the campus provides nice scenery, and an exercise routine that, with a quick shower, can be completed in under an hour.  

And, I found that… I loved it!  In addition to all of the benefits mentioned before, I discovered a nice side effect:  The time spent jogging provides some relaxing time to think.  In fact, I often am most creative during this time period, and come back ready to jot down a list of ideas to implement, or an outline for a paper!

That’s why, when I’m busiest—especially during the stress of finals week—I maintain my exercise routine.  I've found hitting the trail does a mind (and a body) good.  :)