Northwestern students find stress relief in high-intensity boxing

Rachel Philips, 20, wraps her hands before the boxing class begins.
Rachel Philips, 20, wraps her hands before the boxing class begins.

By Selah Holland
Medill Reports

Classes. Grades. Stress. Clubs. Homework. These words probably trigger thoughts of school and, more specifically, college. Higher education is notorious for cultivating high-pressure environments, making it challenging for students to prioritize their personal well-being.

At a top school such as Northwestern University, students are often seeking ways to relieve their stress. And while physical activity has been proven to improve mood,  high-intensity workouts, such as boxing classes at TITLE Boxing Club in Evanston, deliver an extra boost.

Northwestern sophomore Rachel Philips, 20 (pictured below), warms up for a boxing class and talks about how boxing gets her to a different space.

Photo at top: Northwestern sophomore Rachel Philips, 20, wraps her hands before the boxing class begins. (Selah Holland/MEDILL)