Fitness for your Brain
There are plenty of reasons to get off your couch and exercise—it’s good for your heart, muscles, and bones. But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention touts that exercise may also be a way to “boost brain health,” while the World Health Organization suggests that about 2 hours of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week can help improve cognitive decline and memory skills. Now that’s food for thought!
An estimated 40% of people ages 65 and older experience some degree of age-related cognitive decline. In the U.S. alone, that equates to approximately 21 million people. Whether you are over 65 and concerned about age-related memory loss or are simply looking to implement measures to improve cognition, research overwhelmingly shows that exercise is one of the most important daily habits to include to prevent cognitive decline.
Neuroscientist Ebony Glover, Ph.D., explains that physical exercise can lead to a process called neurogenesis. This process generates and protects new neurons in the brain, and increases the volume of brain structures, leading to overall improved cognition and health in general.
Another possibility is that exercise improves blood flow to the brain, as researchers found in a study of moderate aerobic exercise in older adults. More blood flow may increase the flow of nutrients to the brain, and, in turn, improve cognition. However it works, the results are the same: Regular physical activity is not only good for our heart, muscles, and bones, it’s good for our brains, too!
No matter your age or fitness level, any amount of physical activity can help:
Turn up the music at home and dance.
Break up your sedentary time with physical activity. For example, squat or march in place between programs while you’re watching television.
Add physical activity to your daily routine. When shopping, park at the back of the parking lot and walk to the shop. Inside, walk around the perimeter of the store before getting what you need. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Get off transit one stop sooner and walk to your destination. If you already walk routinely, start carrying hand weights on your treks.
Walk the dog. Dogs are great walking companions and can help you have an active lifestyle. One study found that dog owners on average walk 22 minutes more every day compared to people who don’t own a dog. You can even try going a little further on walks with your dog.
However, if you need help or want a more formal exercise program specifically tailored to your needs, click the button below. The personal trainers at Success Studio will personalize an exercise program for you so you can remain active for body and mind.