4 Surprising Ways Exercise Actually Benefits Your Brain
Did you know that exercise improves brain health? It’s true! Not only does exercising help ward off memory loss, but it can also help prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases. The good news is that physical activity doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate— it can actually be something as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going on a daily walk around your neighborhood. Read on to learn more about these four surprising ways exercise benefits your brain.
1) Improve Memory
Regular exercise helps increase blood flow to your brain. This has a positive effect on various parts of your brain, including your hippocampus—the part responsible for long-term memory—and can improve verbal learning and memory retention. One study published in Neurobiology of Aging found that aerobic exercise helped people recall memories better than before they started working out. This means that physical activity can play an important role in preventing age-related cognitive decline and boosting cognitive function later in life.
2) Relieve Stress
We all have a certain amount of stress in our lives, but it’s important to find an outlet for it. One study found that engaging in some sort of physical activity for 30 minutes a day was enough to lessen one’s anxiety levels by nearly 50%. The harder you work, or play, or move around, the less stressed you will feel. So as long as your doctor says its okay (which he/she probably will), get out there and start moving around! You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel right away.
3) Protect Your Brains
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, people who work out regularly between midlife and old age may have a reduced risk of developing brain disorders, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. The study found that participants who engaged in physical activity—walking, running, cycling or aerobics—for at least 150 minutes per week were 55 percent less likely to develop MCI than their counterparts who did not exercise regularly. Even moderate levels of activity appeared to lower risk by almost 30 percent. So if you are going through an important career transformation right now, don’t let it come at your mental health's expense. Dedicate yourself to regular exercise; it will make a difference for both your body and mind.
4) Have a Better Mood
Working out is one of many things that actually makes you feel happier, but it's an especially quick fix when you're feeling stressed or anxious. In a study conducted at Harvard University, test subjects who exercised reported improved mood and energy levels. The results suggest that exercise may be an underutilized tool to improve mood, says senior study author Elizabeth M. Brissette, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Boston. How does it work? It's all about boosting your endorphins—those feel-good hormones associated with a happy outlook on life.