Through the years 2019-2021, The Exercise rate for the US has decreased. Through COVID-19, people were stuck at home and unable to exercise like normal. Schools were no longer open to PE and kids for about 6 months were stuck with no exercise. It’s important for young adolescents to move their bodies because it can improve your mental and physical functioning, protects against chronic diseases, and keeps your mind sharp as you age.

First, it improves your mental and physical health. According to the wellness teacher at Rio Norte, Mrs. Bonilla “Not only is exercise important for building strong bones and muscles, it also does wonders for our mental health. If you are feeling stressed, depressed or anxious try moving your body (walk, run, yoga, weight lifting, sports). Exercise increases your endorphin levels, the feel good chemical that our brain and spinal cords produce. So next time you are feeling “blah” move your body and kick start those endorphins!” There are some health benefits, from Mrs. Bonilla. In conclusion from this quote, Exercise can make you feel good, and has many benefits for your mental and physical health.

Next, it prevents chronic diseases. According to Mayoclinic.org, “For people with high blood pressure, exercise can lower your risk of dying of heart disease and lower the risk of heart disease progressing.” Other things that Exercise prevents includes; Diabetes, Asthma, Arthritis, Cancer, and even Dementia. Chronic diseases can sometimes be fatal, but keeping a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly, can help with this. Even if you are just walking home from school, that can have a different effect on your health.

Lastly, it keeps your mind sharp. According to ‘BrainHQ’, “Exercise stimulates the brain plasticity by stimulating growth of new connections between cells in a wide array of important cortical areas of the brain. Recent research from UCLA demonstrated that exercise increased growth factors in the brain—making it easier for the brain to grow new neuronal connections.” The right exercise can help strengthen the brain. Your brain is a muscle and like any other muscle, it can be strengthened with exercise. Therefore, It keeps your brain sharp.

In conclusion, exercise is important for keeping great mental and physical health, lowering risk for chronic diseases, and keeping your mind sharp. Many benefits are included that aren’t talked about much. So try to exercise and keep these benefits in your lifestyle.