Why You Should Give Your Brain a Workout
There’s no arguing with the fact that exercise is great for our bodies. But did you know that it’s also amazing for your mind, too? Engaging in regular aerobic exercise has been linked to improved neuroplasticity, cognitive function, memory and learning skills, sharper focus, and a lower risk of stress, anxiety, depression, and various brain-related disorders. Let’s find out why.
What does cardio do to your brain?
To find out how aerobic exercise can be so beneficial for your grey matter, let’s first explore what a good workout does to the brain from a functional perspective.
When you go for a run or engage in any type of cardiovascular exercise, your heart rate increases. Your blood gets pumping around your body at a faster rate. You breathe harder. Increased levels of oxygen are delivered to your brain, and we know that’s always a good thing. Levels of the pain and stress-relieving neurotransmitters endorphins rise, which gives you that euphoric feeling, sometimes referred to as “runners high”.
What does this mean for your brain?
As we age, our neuronal connections become weaker. However, our brains are elastic in nature, and getting in a good workout can help to stimulate your brains’ elasticity and encourages the formation of new brain cell connections. It reduces inflammation and increases the function and size of key areas of the brain, including the hippocampus.
It can also:
Boost your overall cognitive function by improving glucose metabolism, which can in turn decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Bolster your memory recall and general performance on memory-based cognitive tasks, as shown in studies performed on children in school settings.
Help to treat the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Indirectly aid in improved sleep quality, which is also linked to better brain health.
How much exercise should I be doing?
This is the age-old question that everyone wants the answer to. Ultimately, any upsurge in your levels of cardio-respiratory fitness will be a positive thing. But for best brain-boosting results, you should be keeping to a regular routine that works for you.
Commonly recommended amounts of aerobics for adults are around 150 minutes a week, or half an hour of moderate physical activity around 5 days a week. And it doesn’t have to be an intense run or a sweaty boot camp session either! Find a sport you enjoy, bring a friend, or even carry out your household chores with even more vigor than usual, it all adds up.