Mind Workout: How Exercise Affects the Brain
People who say they feel great after exercise are not only responding to the feeling of an endorphin rush; exercise is also good for brain function.What are the ways how exercise affects the brain? What is it that makes a great workout feel so great? Let's find out.
How Does Exercise Affect the Brain?
Aerobic exercise, in particular, will have a positive effect on your brain. It can improve your ability to process information and it can enhance your memory.Exercise makes your brain super sharp in a number of ways.
- Brain Food - Exercise increases your heart rate. This results in more oxygen getting to your brain. Your brain loves oxygen.
- A Nurturing Environment - When you exercise, your body releases many hormones that have positive effects on the brain, aiding the growth of brain cells and providing the right conditions for growth.
- New Connections - You may have heard that doing puzzles or learning a language create new neuronal connections. Exercise too will stimulate brain plasticity, leading to new neuronal connections.
According to research conducted in Finland at the University of Jyväskylä’s Department of Biology and Physical Activity, exercise can also stimulate cell growth in the hippocampus, which is the area of the brain that is responsible for memory and learning.A major connection between exercise and how exercise affects the brain is actually another organ altogether: the heart. If you can raise your heart rate with healthy exercise, this will have a corresponding positive effect on your brain cells and your brain function.
Use This to Your Advantage
If you are looking at a tough day at work, set yourself up for success by preparing your body. Schedule a workout for the morning before work.Exercising in the morning is a great way to set yourself up for the day. It will spike your brain activity as well as relieving stress, preparing you for tolerating mental stresses throughout the day. With improved learning ability and memory, you’ll be able to function better at work.If you feel mentally exhausted during the day, you might try a little exercise rather than taking a nap or watching television. Instead of ‘turning off’ your brain, exercise can ‘change the channel,’ energizing you by stimulating your body and mind, and keeping you productive longer.
Make It Easy to Work Your Brain & Body
Knowing how exercise affects the brain, we bet you're itching to get a workout in. But, we know that it’s not always easy to fit one in during a busy work day.That’s where Golden Home Fitness can help. Our trainers can bring everything you need – equipment and experience – to your location to make working out as convenient as possible.Contact us at (781) 954-5049 or info@secure300.inmotionhosting.com/~golde208/ for a customized home fitness training plan so that you can work harder and play harder, not only today but also well into your golden years.