It is getting cooler outside, and it is finally sweatshirt weather! This is an important and friendly reminder that wearing sunscreen is crucial even on cloudy days as we go into midterm season to finish out the Fall semester. All daytime visitors to the SRWC Aquatics Center should be wearing sunscreen! Did you know that a study by the National Library of Medicine (NIH) shows up to 80% of ultraviolet rays can penetrate even through cloud coverage? In another study conducted by NIH, UV rays can cause long-term skin damage, including premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer, regardless of the weather.

Read more: Always wear your sunscreen!

Exercise is crucial for our mental and physical health, especially as college students with busy schedules. And it is one of the best ways to relieve stress from long, strenuous hours of going to class and studying. Physical activity helps our bodies release endorphins, which can alleviate stress and boost your overall mood.

Read more: Sweat, Study and Succeed

Flexibility and mobility go hand in hand. The more flexible you are, the greater mobility you can achieve. For that reason, it is important to train for flexibility to increase mobility and achieve a greater overall range of motion in your workouts. You may ask, “What is the difference between flexibility and mobility?” What differentiates flexibility from mobility is that flexibility focuses on the ability of the muscle to stretch as far as possible. Mobility is restricted by limited muscle flexibility, which prevents complete joint articulation.

Read more: Flexibility/Mobility Training

What is TRX suspension training? Originally developed for Navy SEALs, it focuses on resistance training and building muscle. This type of exercise program can be found in most gyms, yet not many people are familiar with it. The reason TRX training is not well known is because people are unfamiliar with its varying benefits.

Read more: TRX Training

Yoga is one of the most effective disciplines proven to stimulate the human body and mind positively. This peaceful exercise brings many benefits, so it is necessary to use it as frequently as possible. In its purest form, yoga is an excellent way of improving one’s health while attaining mental focus.

Read more: The Holistic Power of Yoga

April is Autism Awareness Month. Whether you know someone who is neurodivergent or not, it is important to recognize that the brain works differently for this population of people. With finals week approaching, many people recommend mediation or relaxing exercises to refocus. As someone who identifies as neurodivergent, this type of relaxation makes it ten times harder to concentrate and wind down. Fortunately, swimming is an activity people can do to receive the same meditative-like effect for an upcoming stressful time.

Read more: Swimming is Meditation for the Body and Mind

The start of a new school year means another shot at being crowned an Intramural Champion! Intramural sports allow our students and alumni to stay active and compete with friends on campus. Our fun leagues are open to all skill levels, and we offer a variety of sports! This semester, you have another chance at becoming a champion due to our new Pickleball League!

Read more: Become the First Pickleball Champion in Intramural League history!

Love Your Body Week is here at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC)! We have partnered with Body Positive at the Beach and Beach Pride Events for this exciting event. This week emphasizes the importance of embracing your body and spreading positive energy throughout the Beach community. There are various SRWC activities dedicated to impacting the mind and body. Both educational and interactive, check out what Love Your Body Week has in store for you!

Read more: Love Your Body Week

Intramural Leagues at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) are coming to an end. Intramurals bring so much excitement and positive energy throughout the facility, as competition is met with camaraderie. Meeting other people who share the same passion for sports creates a great community here at Long Beach State University (LBSU). Many of our participants have made lifelong friendships along the way.

Read more: Intramural Leagues Wrap Up

What are the true benefits of resistance and aerobic training? If you turned to the media, their most common answer would be putting on muscle and getting stronger. However, they are missing the most important benefits. Resistance and aerobic training have been proven to improve cognitive function and treat, or even prevent, cancer and diabetes.

Read more: Beyond Muscle and Strength

Summertime is right around the corner and the great outdoors are calling! Summer is the perfect time to explore all that nature has to offer. California is home to nine national parks and over two hundred state parks! Ranging from vast valleys, beautiful mountain ranges, sunny deserts, airy woodlands and state beaches, our parks have eye-catching qualities for the public to enjoy and utilize. All these spaces can host many activities such as camping, swimming, and biking that will get your blood pumping this summer.

Read more: Summer Adventure Awaits!

At first look, a rock wall can seem intimidating! Its looming height can cause some hesitation among future climbers. However, the physical and mental benefits of rock climbing far outweigh any initial apprehension. In the 2020 Summer Olympics, competitive sport climbing made its debut. This event included speed climbing, bouldering and lead climbing, which captivated a new and now growing audience around the world. With the increasing curiosity about rock climbing, let's dive into the benefits people can expect to see when they get started.

Read more: The Benefits of Rock Climbing