Different Ways Exercise Helps Neurodivergent Students

We all know that exercise is good for our physical health, but it also has many benefits for our brain function and learning. When you engage in physical activity, whether it's aerobic exercise, strength training, or any form of movement that elevates your heart rate, your body responds by releasing various neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and endorphins. Low levels of these neurotransmitters is associated with Autism and ADHD. All of these play a crucial role in motivation, focus, mood regulation, and much more.

Dopamine influences emotions and plays a significant role in the brain's reward center. It contributes to feelings of motivation and reward, influencing your mood and drive. Dopamine also plays a role in cognitive functions such as attention, learning, and memory. It can affect decision-making, focus, and problem-solving abilities. In the motor system, dopamine helps regulate movement and coordination. Exercise within and outside of school can help contribute to increasing dopamine levels.

Norepinephrine is a key component of the body's stress response, triggering the "fight or flight" reaction in challenging or threatening situations. Norepinephrine helps regulate alertness and attention. It plays a role in maintaining focus and vigilance. When you exercise, the body's production and release of norepinephrine increases. Physical activity stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the release of norepinephrine from nerve endings. This release contributes to several effects of exercise:

1. Increased Alertness: Elevated norepinephrine levels during exercise can enhance alertness and attention, helping you feel more awake and focused.
2. Mood Improvement: Norepinephrine release during exercise can contribute to feelings of well-being and can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety for some individuals.
3. Stress Response: Exercise can help regulate the body's stress response by modulating norepinephrine levels. Regular physical activity may lead to a more balanced stress response over time.

Exercise has a notable impact on serotonin, which helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and other essential functions. Physical activity stimulates the release and production of serotonin in the brain. When you exercise, the brain's production of tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, increases. Serotonin is often associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. When serotonin levels rise due to exercise, it can help alleviate symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety. Many people report feeling more positive and relaxed after engaging in physical activity. Serotonin is involved in regulating sleep patterns and appetite as well. Needless to say, serotonin is quite significant to our mental well-being.

Exercise has a profound effect on endorphins, which are the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. As you engage in exercise, your body perceives stress or discomfort, prompting the release of endorphins as a response to alleviate pain and enhance pleasure. Their release during exercise can help reduce feelings of discomfort or pain associated with physical exertion, allowing you to push through and enjoy the activity. Endorphins contribute to feelings of euphoria and well-being. When released during exercise, they create a sense of happiness and can even induce a "runner's high" or a general feeling of exhilaration and positivity. Activities that involve rhythmic movements or endurance exercises, such as running, cycling, swimming, and dancing are particularly affective at stimulating the release of endorphins. Regular exercise, especially when it's enjoyable and challenging, can lead to consistent endorphin release. This can contribute not only to physical comfort during exercise but also to an improved mood and overall sense of well-being afterward.

It can often be challenging to be motivated to exercise, but understanding the short and long-term benefits it can provide is a good push. Some people like a structured sport, some like solo exercise such as swimming, biking, or weight training. Many neurodivergent students struggle to want to exercise, but having support to start makes all the difference. Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated, it’s best when it can be enjoyed and anticipated. Finding some form of exercise that can be enjoyed consistently is very important to creating a healthy routine. It may take some experimentation on what works best, but there is something for everyone to enjoy.

In conclusion, exercise plays an important role in the development of our students. Exercise helps influence motivation, focus and attention, memory, better stress response, and helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. Encourage yourselves and your kids to take a walk around the neighborhood, go to the gym, start a sport, or do anything that gets you active!