We all know the benefit of exercise on our physical health. The list of disease risks that can be reduced by regular exercise is endless. There is no doubt that exercise gives us more energy and everyone wants to look fit. But there really is more going on when it comes to exercise and much of it is going on where you would least expect it… in your brain.
I often notice the benefits of things only when I stop. Then, I feel the loss and realize how much I appreciated the advantages. It’s like that for me and exercise. Exercise has been a regular part of my life for years, especially in recent years when I began running and competing in marathons. When you are training like that, the focus is on the milestones… the schedule. Just getting it done is such a challenge that it is easy to overlook the positive influence your exercise is having on all aspects of your life. When I get lazy with my schedule or start missing exercise days that’s when I notice the change in my overall mood, in my motivation and in my productivity. There is good science that explains my personal experience.
A Fast Company article on exercise did a good job of explaining the brain’s response to exercise. Neuroscience research suggests; that when you start exercising, the brain recognizes this moment as a moment of stress. As your heart pressure increases, the brain thinks you are either fighting an enemy or fleeing from it. To protect yourself and your brain from stress you release a protein called Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). This BDNF protein has a protective and also reparative element to your memory neurons and acts as a reset switch. That’s why we may feel at ease after exercise and like things are “clearer”. At the same time, endorphins tend to minimize the discomfort of the exercise, block the feeling of pain and are even associated with feelings of euphoria.
In a Huffington Post article, Sophia Breene did a great job of outlining the specific mental benefits of exercise. Here are some of my favorites taken from her blog:
Exercise:
Prevents Cognitive Decline
It's unpleasant, but it's true -- as we get older, our brains get a little... hazy. As aging and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's kill off brain cells, the noggin actually shrinks, losing many important brain functions in the process. While exercise and a healthy diet can’t “cure” Alzheimer's, they can help shore up the brain against cognitive decline that begins after age 45 Working out, especially between age 25 and 45, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning.
Sharpens Memory
Get ready to win big at Go Fish. Regular physical activity boosts memory and ability to learn new things. Getting sweaty increases production of cells in the hippocampus responsible for memory and learning. For this reason, research has linked children's brain development with the level of physical fitness (take that, recess haters!). But exercise-based brainpower isn't just for kids. Even if it's not as much fun as a game of hide and go seek, working out can boost memory among grown-ups, too. A study showed that running sprints improved vocabulary retention among healthy adults.
Helps Us to Get More Done
Feeling uninspired in the cubicle? The solution might be just a short walk or jog away. Research shows that workers who take time for exercise on a regular basis are more productive and have more energy than their more sedentary peers. While busy schedules can make it tough to squeeze in a gym session in the middle of the day, some experts believe that midday is the ideal time for a workout due to the body's circadian rhythms.
Helps Us Tap Into Creativity
Most people end a tough workout with a hot shower, but maybe we should be breaking out the colored pencils instead. A heart-pumping gym session can boost creativity for up to two hours afterwards. Next time you need a burst of creative thinking, hit the trails for a long walk or run to refresh the body and the brain at the same time.
Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.”. So when you think your workday is just too busy to squeeze in some exercise, you may want to think again! The return on that time may far surpass the lost time at your computer checking emails…
image credit: Martindata l Dreamstime.com
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