You're Probably More Active Than You Think

When someone says “physical activity,” I immediately picture a gym, running shoes and someone doing a workout that I definitely would not survive. 

But why does physical activity always need to look like that? 

As students, we’re constantly moving without really thinking about it. Speed-walking across campus because you’re running late. Carrying your backpack around all day. Taking the stairs because the elevator has a line of 15 people. Walking to get food with your friend and somehow turning a five-minute conversation into a 45-minute walk. 

We don’t really count these things as being active. But maybe we should.

That Walk to Class Actually Counts 

 Think about how much walking happens during a normal school day. 

You walk from your neighborhood or car or bus stop to campus, across the building to your next class, to grab food, to the library and then back again. By the end of the day, you’ve probably covered way more ground than you realized. 

Instead of always taking the shortest route, walk around campus between classes or go outside while you wait for your next lecture. Take a quick walk with a friend instead of sitting on your phone. 

Just don’t try this when you’re already five minutes late!

Your Study Break Needs a Makeover

Let's be honest, “taking a break from studying” usually means opening TikTok or YouTube and somehow losing 30 minutes. 

Your brain might be taking a break, but your body is still sitting in the exact same position. 

Next time, try something different. Stand up and stretch. Walk around the building. Go outside for ten minutes. Put on a song and have a completely unnecessary dance break. If you’re studying with friends, convince everyone to go for a quick walk. 

You might come back to your assignment feeling more refreshed.

Not Everything Has to Feel Like Exercise

 Some of the best ways to be active are things you actually want to do. 

Go skating with your friends. Ride your bike around the neighborhood, play soccer. Go swimming. Join an intramural. Walk a trail. Even having a snowball fight when winter hits counts as movement. 

At Lakehead, you can make use of the campus athletics spaces or connect with Lakehead Athletics and Recreation which provides a variety of opportunities for students across all three Lakehead campuses to get more active, so it’s worth checking out what options are available to you. 

You don’t have to be the most athletic person in the room. You just have to find something you enjoy.

 The Little Things Matter

You don’t need to wake up at 5 a.m., run 10 kilometres and spend an hour lifting weights to say you were active that day. 

Maybe today you walked to class, took the stairs, spent your lunch outside and went for a 20-minute walk with a friend. 

That counts. 

So tomorrow, try something different. Take the stairs. Walk to your next class. Ask a friend to go for a walk instead of sitting inside. Try an intramural or spend 20 minutes outside without your phone. 

Don’t wait for the perfect workout or the perfect schedule, start with one small choice to move a little more.

Tiana Mafukidze, Peer Wellness Educator Lead