We’ve been bombarded with promotional messages about supplements and different types of foods that can boost your brainpower. A recent study, however, claims that simply working up a sweat may be enough, however!
Brain health decreases with age, with the average brain shrinking by about five per cent per decade after the age of 40.
In lieu of this fact, researchers from the Western Sydney University in Australia examined the effects of aerobic exercise on a region of the brain called the hippocampus, which is critical for memory and other brain functions.
Here are 7 incredible ways exercise can benefit the health of your brain:
Betters your mood
Exercise has an overall effect on mood, with some studies suggesting just five minutes of activity is enough to alter mood state. Exercise increases endorphins and other chemicals that make you feel good and enhances your overall sense of wellbeing.
Can increase your IQ
One of the largest studies ever done tried to shine some light on the subject. Data from over 1 million Swedish men were used and the researchers found something interesting. There was a convincing link between cardiovascular health and performance on IQ tests.
Can increase your focus and concentration
Physically fit people have increased control over their ability to focus attention as measured by a challenging cognitive task. The people who were trained over several months also saw these benefits.
Helps fight depression and anxiety
Regular exercise reduces activity in the sympathetic nervous system, also known as the ‘fight or flight’ response in the brain. It can help regulate this response by increasing activity in the parasympathetic nervous system… including lowering blood pressure, regulating breathing, and slowing heart rate.
Spurs the growth of new brain cells as you age
As we get older, the birth of new brain cells slows, and our brain tissue actually shrinks. Exercise may be able to reverse that trend. One brain-scanning study of healthy but sedentary people aged 60 to 79 showed significant increases in brain volume after six months of aerobic fitness training.
Helps you control your emotions better
The actual ability to control our emotions is a skill of cognitive control. Whenever you reign in an outburst of anger, or continue your day despite feelings of sadness, you are exercising emotional regulation.
Helps you make decision quicker
Since working out can improve so many other aspects of our cognition, it should come as no surprise that it can also boost memory. “Studies show that mild-to-moderate physical activity, such as walking, yoga, or resistance training, can help maintain your cognitive health.
