Out of This World
Editor: Grace Corey
The benefits of exercise: Tobey reveals ins and outs of fitness journey
For Junior Emma Tobey, the journey with mental health has not always been cut and dry. “As a freshman, I was a very depressed, anxiety-ridden 14-year-old girl, which is considered normal, but it shouldn’t be,” she shares. There is truth behind her words – teenagers are recognized for their hormones and sarcastic attitudes. So how did Tobey beat the status quo?
She hit the gym.
According to the CDC, developing a workout routine and being able to stick to it has many benefits. You would see improvements in anxious feelings, sleep, and the overall function of your body. It has even been proven to prevent chronic diseases and aid development (Physical Activity). For Tobey, it did all of that and made her into the happy girl you see bouncing through the halls today.
Most days, Tobey can be found completing her routine, which is split into three different segments: chest and shoulders, back and biceps, and legs. “I don’t do any workout that I don't enjoy,” she emphasizes. “I think it’s ridiculous to try to punish your body with physical exercise; I don’t think that’s what physical exercise is meant to be.” Rather, she believes it is all about making yourself happy and finding joy in the activity. Her schedule is laid back and she listens to her body when deciding what to do.
"I don't do any workout that I don't enjoy...I think it's ridiculous to try and punish your body with physical exercise."
She reaps many benefits, noting an increase in her overall energy, better sleep, and her social life. Throughout her adventures at the gym, Tobey has developed friendships with different people as they rely on each other to stay committed to their goals.
So, if exercising is really all that, why do many people neglect to do it? Tobey puts it very simply: “It can be hard.” For most people, learning discipline and consistency is a difficult task, something rather critical to steady exercise. This mindset is built over time, she emphasizes; in this day and age, society is used to “instant gratification.” As a whole, this has destroyed humanity’s dedication and discipline regarding any task. Luckily, Tobey has several tips to help you get started.
Working with others is a specific piece of advice she offers. If the willpower isn’t happening for you, don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend and ask for some help. Other people counting on you is a surefire way to keep yourself accountable.
Another tip she offers is to “make a plan, and stick to it.” The best way to develop a habit is to subvert the confusion and stress of figuring it out along the way. The next advice she gives is to be forgiving of yourself, and to accept that you aren’t always going to be able to keep it up 100% of the time. She says, “If you mess up one day, just don’t mess up the next.” Her personal “rule” is to not fall off the wagon for longer than two days before getting right back to it.
The CDC also has some advice on getting started. One big point they make is to include variety in the workouts you do. This practice helps you stay committed to your journey as well as reducing your chance of injury. Getting 150 minutes of physical activity is the goal they set for the average person.
So why is it that physical activity makes such a difference in a multitude of day to day life? Human beings have never been “stagnant creatures,” and Tobey connects this firmly to exercise’s ability to help what seems like all ailments. “Mentally, we’re always trying to build the next better thing. Technology-wise, we’re always trying to build the next better thing…in our human nature, we are always trying to build something better.” She continues to say, “I think exercise affects every part of our lives because if our physical state isn’t in a good place, then we can’t take care of anything else.” Basically, humans are designed to move. Leaning into this nature is certainly going to improve your life in many different ways.
The truth of the matter lies in the many different chemicals your body releases during and after physical activity. According to an article by the Piedmont Clinic titled “Here Are Ways Exercise Helps Balance Hormones,” during exercise, the body sees a rise in serotonin, dopamine, testosterone, and estrogen levels. Each of these affect different aspects of a person’s health such as mood, social behavior, sleep patterns, even the effects of aging.
Has someone in your life ever told you that “sometimes the best medicine tastes the worst?” Well, they weren’t lying. Physical activity may not always be the most pleasant thing and it can be hard to motivate yourself enough to make it happen. However, if you can manage to create a routine and stick to it, you’ll find that several aspects of your life will change for the better. You may just find yourself in the same position as Tobey: happier, healthier, and ready to share the magic of exercise with everyone.
"If you mess up one day, just don't mess up the next."
Paper to television: small changes make the biggest difference
By Makayla Wise
The first time I read the critically acclaimed novel Daisy Jones & The Six, I immediately fell in love with its complexity and the heart that lives at its center. With its many twists and turns of events, the story tells of a band from the 70’s and the affairs, drugs, and rock n’ roll that surrounded it. The novel, written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, is unique in the sense that it’s written in interview/documentary style.
When reading each unreliable narrator recite their version of the story, I could easily imagine it in my head. Seven washed-up band members describing their experience in a gravelly, deeply traumatized voice. I was surprised to find out that when the show came out this past month, it would not be the case. Each character was still youthful sounding, yet slightly aged with makeup and wigs. It instantly ruined what I had envisioned before while reading. Although I must admit, I enjoyed the cast and thought they were perfect matches. Every character looked close to how I had imagined them.
Senior Jordan Duncan has also read the popular book before its adaptation was set to be released. She has yet to watch the series and mentions that she’s “scared that it won't live up or be accurate to the book.” When I watched the show, I noticed many of my favorite details in the novel weren’t included and the ending had been moderately changed. It insinuates that two of the main characters, Daisy and Billy, went on to live out a happy ending, which is far different from its book format.
Although the show was good and its praise is deserved, I can’t help but wonder why there’s a constant trend of elaborately-written novels being turned into short shows and movies. To me, recent adaptations hardly outdo the literature it's referencing. Of course, there are exceptions, such as Little Women and The Great Gatsby, which have each been executed many times in unique ways. Though ultimately, not every novel needs an adaptation in order to be greater than it already is.
