Regular exercise is known to have numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. However, recent studies have shed light on just how crucial exercise is for brain health. Even small amounts of exercise can have a significant impact on cognitive function, including better thinking, information processing, decision-making, and memory.
The connection between the brain and body is well-established, and exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and mood. But with new research highlighting the importance of exercise for brain health, it is becoming increasingly clear that even small amounts of physical activity can have a significant impact on cognitive function. In this article, we will explore the latest findings on the benefits of exercise for brain health and discuss how you can incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine.
Recent Study Shows Links Between Exercise Behavior, Cognition and Memory
If you’re looking to boost your brainpower, you might want to consider getting up and moving around. A recent study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that moderate to vigorous exercise can improve cognition and memory. Researchers analyzed the movement behaviors of over 4,400 participants in the U.K. to understand how each impacted brain functions such as memory and problem-solving skills.
The study found that even just 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise showed greater brain benefits than light exercise, sleeping, or sitting. This suggests that replacing sedentary time and low-intensity movement with more physically demanding and intense exercise is a smart habit to support a healthy brain.
It’s important to note that forgoing any moderate and vigorous physical activity can negatively impact cognition. So, if you’re looking to improve your brain function, it’s time to get moving. Try incorporating more physical activity into your daily routine, such as taking a brisk walk or doing a quick workout. Your brain will thank you for it.
Improving Brain Function With Exercise
Engaging in regular physical exercise can provide numerous benefits for both your body and mind. Recent studies have shown that exercise can help improve brain function, including memory, cognitive function, and overall brain health. Here are some tips on how to improve your brain function with exercise:
1. Take Up Moderately Intense and Vigorous Exercise
Moderately intense activities that increase your heart rate and breathing, such as brisk walking, hiking, HIIT workouts, running, dance-cardio class, or jumping rope, can help promote increased blood flow to the brain and a cognitive boost. Meanwhile, vigorous or high-intensity exercise can boost your heart rate even more and have you working at (or close to) maximum effort.
2. Get Your Brain Working on Mentally Engaging Exercise
Exercise that is mentally engaging and keeps you present, such as aerobics, dance, yoga, and tai chi, can help “workout” the brain even more since you’re actively thinking about what you’re doing—demanding effort from both body and mind.
3. Shake Up Your Fitness Regime
Changing up your fitness routine can also help, as trying and learning new things can have a similar impact on brain function. Incorporating new exercises or activities can challenge your brain in different ways and keep your workouts interesting.
4. Gradually Increase Your Efforts
While getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week is recommended, it’s important to start small and build up gradually. Incorporating exercise and movement into your everyday life in small, achievable ways, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going for a short walk during your lunch break, can help you establish a routine that you can stick to. Eventually, exercise will become a natural part of your day-to-day routine.
It’s a fact, regular exercise can help improve brain function and overall brain health. By incorporating moderately intense and vigorous exercise, mentally engaging exercise, changing up your fitness routine, and starting small and building up gradually, you can reap the benefits of exercise for your mind and body.
