Physical Benefits of Studying?

Can someone illustrate us as to the other benefits of spending several hours a day studying for a prolonged time?

I mean, are there studies on whether the mental capacity of the subject grows measurably? What about the effects on the general outlook on life, physical side effects, etc?

In other words, what other benefits does studying on a continued basis produce besides the obvious professional/career advancement possibilities?

 

What are the mental and physical benefits of studying for a prolonged period of time? Interesting topic

I believe that studying may:

- Enhance your ability to focus
- Enhance neural activity
- Relax and clear your mind
- Improve your ability to process
information by practicing speed
reading and other forms of memory
enhancing strategies
- serve as an instrument for loosing
a little weight ( yes, reading takes
energy )

I searched for research on the benefits of prolonged studying with no success. If I do locate some research material, I will post it.

Ray

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" The ignorant will laugh, but the wise will understand " -- Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee

 

I've been wanting to study this from the perspective of the negative social effects in secondary education.

Your question though is about physical effects -- something that coach knows a little about.

While there may be certain gains in cognitive ability and there must certainly be losses in socialization skills -- studying is not a very physical activity. By nature, it's a sedentary activity and one that is often accompanied by unhealthy habits.

It's not uncommon for students to snack heavily while studying and many folk remember nights filled with exam cramming and pots of coffee (and/or a carton of cigarettes).

Further, eye strain (and the accompanying headache) often results from prolonged study periods since many do not use adequate intensity or quality of light when reading.

Few parents (or students) consider the effect of poor body position when engaged in prolonged study periods. Sitting bent over a desk reading is not conducive to lower back or neck health. This is compounded when the study area is not ergonomically designed for prolonged periods of use.

One of the bigger concerns results when the student doesn't balance activities but instead becomes engrossed in a single activity. Just as engaging in athletics to the exclusion of all else is not a healthy choice -- excluding athletic, social, and artistic activities in deference to studying is also not a healthy choice.

Most agree that balance is the key to a healthy lifestyle and sleep deprivation is not an effective study aid.

Some studies I have read imply that prolonged periods of study are not effective anyway. It may well be much better to study 30 minutes -- go for a nice walk -- and return to study for another 30 minutes.

Just a few thoughts for discussion.....

 

You make it sound horrible!!!

Actually I my question was intended in an optimistic tone. Mainly interested in the positive effects (if any) on the physical brain.

In other words, does stretching your brain through the continous effort of studying regularly for a long time (weeks, months, years) produce any positive physical mental changes?

Don't people feel more self-confident, more aware, etc. too?

 

As in all things, there are costs and benefits in pursuing socially acceptable activities and behaving in the ways of the social norm. I call it " Ying and Yang theory ". For example, the negative physical consequences of reading may neutralize the positive mental benefits.

Coach turner, I do agree that people should take reading breaks every 30 minutes or less. However, I believe that studying can be quite physical in nature and non-sedentary. The mind and body communicates in synergy to maintain
body posture,
movement of eyes,
movement of neck,
movement of head,
movement of hand,
movement of arm,
movement of back,
movement of mouth,

- awareness of environment while
maintaining mental focus on
reading material. For example, if a
student at a library is alarmed by a
sudden book slam, he or she may
may react with quick physical
movements ( quick turning and
raising of head and straightening of
back ) and cause physical and mental
stress.

- What I see frequently at university
libraries are people talking on their
cell phones while studying in a quiet
area. This may cause added physical
stress ( rise in blood pressure and
heart rate ) to the neighboring
student who does not want to hear
the conversation.

 

Do people may feel more confident after reading a good book. Well, maybe or maybe not. If they have felt a sense of reading accomplishment, then it may improve their self esteem. For example, an individual who has proactivly studied for an exam, may have a feeling of readiness. If he or she continues to study proactively with positive results ( good grades on exam ), then positive reinforcement may occur.