We’ve all heard that exercise is good for you at one point or another, but seldom do we hear why it is good for you.
Sure, exercise helps you lose weight and feel great, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg — it does wonders for your mental health as well.
In a nutshell, exercise will help you improve your memory, learning and thought process; it will also help you get sounder sleep, support a healthy mood and more.
Our brain, a seven-pound mass of neurons and other brain cells that communicate and work cohesively, is how we experience and interact with the world. But with time, and without proper care, the brain can become vulnerable.
That’s where exercise comes in! When you engage in a physical activity, your breath and heart rate increase, pumping new oxygenated blood throughout your body and to your brain.
In doing so, it prompts neurogenesis: the production of brain cells or neurons. This process increases brain mass and volume.
In addition to producing more neurons, regular exercise also promotes the production of specific proteins—called neurotrophins—that help manage neuronal function.
In the long run, having an exercise routine will contribute to your overall physical and mental health, and it will help you improve your quality of life. The best part is you don’t have to spend hours at the gym, leaving red-faced and sweaty.
Just get your body moving for 30 minutes a day, three to four times a week to start reaping those brain-health benefits.
"This article has been scientifically reviewed and published by: Dr Michael A. Smith at Life Extension"