Learning How to Learn (VI): Physical Exercises

Have you ever wondered why there are always sports facilities in good schools? These aren’t placed there just for the fun of it. Schools have sports facilities because educators have realized that physical activities in form of sports, jogging, or even walking helps learning. Every good school has a sports program where they develop the physical aspect of their learners. This is important because as you participate in physical activities new brain cells are born in your brain and this helps in learning.

I recently developed a habit of jogging for the first 30 minutes of my day. I do this 6 times every week and I now find it very difficult not to get off my bed and hit the street jogging. In doing this I have benefitted in interesting ways. First, I realized that it reverses any stress I feel in the morning. I was accustomed to waking up tired and stressed out. It was usual to hear me say, “I am tired,” first thing in the morning. When I jog I feel much stronger and the energy takes me through the day.

Second, I realized that it helped me to process information faster. While jogging I am able to steady my mind on a thought and keep it there until I have the answers I seek.

Third, I listen to audio books while jogging. This means that I multitask and use the opportunity to learn from books that would have taken me a longer period of time to cover. The moment I realised this secret to learning, I make sure I don’t leave my room without an audio book in my phone.