Did you know, Exercise Increases the Size of your Brain for the Better?
Did you know, Exercise Increases the Size of your Brain for the Better?
Exercise helps to improve memory and thinking capability through both direct and indirect means. The benefits of exercise comes directly from its ability to reduce insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the release of growth factors – chemicals in the brain that affect the health of brain cells, the growth of new blood vessels in the brain, and even the abundance and survival of new brain cells.
Indirectly, exercise improves the mood and quality of sleep, and also helps in reducing stress and anxiety. Problems in these areas frequently cause or contribute to cognitive impairment.
There are plenty of good reasons to be physically active. Big ones include reducing the odds of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Maybe you want to lose weight, lower your blood pressure, prevent depression, or just to look better. Here’s another one, which especially applies to those experiencing the brain fog that comes with age: exercise changes the brain in ways that protects the memory and thinking skills.
Exercise affects the brain on multiple fronts. It increases heart rate, which in turns pumps more oxygen to the brain. It also aids the bodily release of a plethora of hormones, all of which participate in aiding and providing a nourishing environment for the growth of brain cells.
Exercise stimulates the brain plasticity by stimulating growth of new connections between cells in a wide array of important cortical areas of the brain.
Even one 30-minute cardio session pumps extra blood to your brain, delivering the oxygen and nutrients it needs to perform at maximum efficiency. Cardio exercises also floods the brain with chemicals that enhance functions such as memory, problem solving, and decision making. In general, anything that is good for your heart is great for your brain.
Aerobic exercise is great for the body and brain: not only does it improve brain function, but it also acts as a “first aid kit” on damaged brain cells.
Exercising in the morning before going to work not only spikes brain activity and prepares you for mental stresses for the rest of the day, but also increases retention of new information, and better reaction to complex situations.
When looking to change up your work out, look for an activity that incorporates coordination along with cardiovascular exercise, such as a dancing.
If you like crunching time at the gym alone, opt for circuit work out, which both quickly spike your heart rate and also constantly redirects your attention.
