Using Exercise as a Tool for Home Schooling During Covid-19 Lock-down

During Covid-19 lock-down, parents and students will feel pressured to spend long periods of time to cover as much school content during home schooling. Unfortunately, this is likely to generate significant amounts of anxiety and stress especially for those who have not developed any coping mechanisms and those that lack mental toughness or resiliency. It is conceivable that mental health issues are likely to emerge in children as they go through the adjustment to learn remotely via home schooling. The most common physical signs of stress include sleeping problems, sweating, loss of appetite, poor concentration, reduced confidence and self-esteem. Symptoms like these are generated by a rush of stress hormones in our body.

Many are clear about the numerous physical health benefits of regular exercise, but have you ever stopped to think how exercise could influence your child’s mental performance? Aside from providing a well-needed break from marathon home school sessions delivered via prolonged sitting; when our bodies engage in movement, it triggers the release of various hormones and chemical compounds in the body. These hormones and chemical compounds all have very important effects on various brain functions. For example:

• Serotonin – involved in regulating sleep cycles and boosting mood.
• Dopamine – positively influences learning and attention span.
• Nor-epinephrine – affects motivation and mental stimulation.
• Coupled with an increased blood flow to the brain, this cocktail of hormones and neurotransmitters improves cognitive function and the ability to focus for longer time periods. This means higher quality revision sessions and a higher chance of hitting target results.
• Research also shows that exercise significantly reduces resting levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, allowing you to spend less time worrying and more time getting work done.
• If that wasn’t enough, regular movement has also been shown to result in an increase in the size of the hippo-campus, a part of the brain involved with memory retention.

Top exercise tips during Covid-19 lock-down

1. Little and often

It is normal that you will feel like spending a great deal of time revising or learning new content during  lock-down. Unfortunately, learning and revising for excessively long periods of time is isn’t effective, so take regular brain breaks to stay productive. A simple walk around the house, a walk about in the garden (if you have one) or a simply standing up to stress will be enough to refresh you.  

2. Develop a routine

A balanced routine of work and play is essential during lock-down. You might feel too busy but try to maintain a regular exercise schedule - aim to get active at least every other day. Let the endorphins released during exercise do the magic i.e. make you feel good – you must avoid stimulating activity just before bed, to give your brain time to wind down.

3. Know what works for you

Plan your exercise during periods when know you generally won’t study. Some students work better in the morning, some at night – aim to plan your exercise around your study schedule so you won’t miss out on valuable revision time.

4. EduMove Active Revision Programmes

EduMove active revision programme combines exercise and revision together to provide an exciting and de-stressing revision experience.  Emerging research supports the EduMove approach for promoting learning and health outcomes. Please contact us ( [email protected]) or visit our websites www.edumove.co.uk and www.kickoutcovid19.com for free EduMove ideas for home schooling during Covid-19 lock-down

By Oscar Mwaanga (PhD, FRSA)

Physically Active Education Consultant

Emeritus Associate Professor (SU)

CEO – EduMove LtD