Maintaining Wellness in Memphis
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The United States has many different kinds of yummy foods, and Memphis is rated as one of the top cities for obesity in the country. When you get here, you, of course, want to enjoy all the great food Memphis offers, but it is therefore extra important to keep up with your self-care and exercise routine. Did you know that the UofM campus has a new state-of-the-art workout facility that is free to use for students? The Student Recreation & Sports Complex opened in 2021 and offers a lot. You just have to present your student ID. (https://www.memphis.edu/campusrec/about/)
Wellness Tips:
If you are unsure where to start with your workout, now is the time to explore your options. A great start would be a group fitness class, so you can follow the instructor and do exactly what they do, together with other people. One-on-one training is also a great option, but it is more expensive as it is offered for an additional fee at the recreation complex. However, if you need help getting started, this would be the ideal option for you.
University of Memphis Rec Center
Walking and biking on and around campus are also great ideas. There are several parks and green spaces in the area, with the closest one being Audubon Park, about a mile walk from the main campus.
The benefits of exercise are endless: improved mood, improved cardiovascular (heart) health, improved focus/concentration, better strength and endurance, reduced risk of sickness/disease, and a better overall quality of life. The recommended guidelines are to do 150 minutes of exercise a week, so about 30 minutes each day. When you get stressed with the academic workload, go outside, go to the recreation center, or do some exercise at home, and see how refreshed you feel to tackle that workload after a great exercise!
My biggest advice of all is to have fun with friends while being active. Play team sports, find a group fitness class you love, go for a walk in the park, or hang out at the pool. Make it fun for yourself so you can keep up with it.
VIVIAN BRANDHOFF DANIS • THE NETHERLANDS
Vivian moved to Memphis from the Netherlands in 2011 to be a full-time student-athlete. She completed both her undergraduate degree in Sport & Leisure Management and her Master’s degree in Communication while throwing shot put and discus for the University of Memphis. VISA was the first organization that gave her many international friends, with most of whom she still enjoys hanging out with today. After meeting her American husband here, Vivian stayed in Memphis and now works part-time, while also being a full-time mom to her daughter Nora.
