Regular physical activity is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. In addition to benefitting our muscles and bones, physical exercises also enable our brain to remain healthy and well functioning. Moreover, physical fitness also enhances our mental well-being, which further aids our brain in learning, problem-solving, and maintaining emotional equilibrium. It also helps in improving memory and reduces stress and anxiety. So, if you have not been working out lately, this article can be a push for you to start indulging in physical exercise because here, we will tell how it makes your brain work better. But, first, let’s take a look at the wide-ranging benefits of physical exercises on the brain:
1. Boosts your memory
There’s no denying the fact that we all struggle to remember dates, figures, and important events, which can be troublesome at times. However, you would be surprised to know that you can boost your memory with physical exercises, and your brain expands as you get fitter. Exercise also affects the memory retaining ability of the brain and gradually enhances your memory. Researchers have even found that when people learn something while performing physical exercises like walking or cycling, they learn better.
2. Helps your brain to multitask and concentrate better
Exercise also aids in concentrating better on your tasks at hand, besides enhancing your memory. In addition, exercises increase your brain’s ability to multitask, shun distractions, and retain and rearrange knowledge. Thus, it is recommended that students should always take out time from their busy schedules and indulge in some physical exercises.
3. Impacts your mood strongly
Although physical exercise doesn’t directly relieve stress, it can surely help you feel better. This is because exercise reduces the number of stress receptors in the hippocampus while decreasing the influence of stress hormones and the effects of stressful events on the brain.
Another advantage of exercise for reducing stress is the phenomenon well known as “runner’s high.” Exercise triggers endorphin release, which produces a high euphoric feeling after a workout. Since any physical activity can provide this ecstatic experience, accompanied by a decrease in anxiety and depressive symptoms, you should not miss out on physical exercises. With that said, a workout makes our brain feel more relaxed and relieves stress, which strongly impacts your mood.
4. Helps the brain retain priceless memory
People treasure their memories, yet, we only recall a small portion of our lives. However, exercise increases the brain’s memory capacity to retain the memories we all hold so dear. It is simpler to take in information and create long-term memories thanks to this chemical factor, which mediates learning and memory. With that said, if you lack the motivation to exercise, think about how valuable your memories are and what you would not do to preserve them.
Other easy ways to improve your health
The proof that maintaining your physical fitness keeps your brain healthy as you age is particularly persuasive, and it may set you off to do some exercise right away. Although the essential ingredients that make exercise such a powerful brain tonic are still being researched by researchers, some of the reasons could be the brain’s increased blood flow, spikes in growth hormones, and the enlargement of the blood vessel network.
Surprisingly, it’s simpler than you would think to do physical exercises. It doesn’t need to occur all at once. You can spread out your exercise throughout the week, and any exercise is preferable to none. Some of the things you can do every day to improve your health are listed below:
1. Walking
Walking can be the most basic of the green exercises. It makes your brain release endorphins — a neurochemical that betters your mental health, decreases your sensitivity to stress and pain, and can even make you feel euphoric. Walking also lifts your mood and makes you feel better.
Moreover, one of the key elements of mental wellness is self-esteem. Exercise can help people feel better, reduce stress, and improve social connections. Exercise is also helpful in avoiding and treating depression-related symptoms. Thus, walking daily can help alleviate symptoms related to chronic mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
2. Dancing
Dancing can be a fun way to work out and bust stress. People say dancing when you’re happy makes you feel more comfortable, but the fun fact is that dancing in times of sadness can also be helpful to your mental health. As per research by Columbia University neuroscientists, it was stated that dancing involves the synchronizing of music and movement, which awakens the brain’s sensory and motor circuits while music stimulates its reward centres. In addition, dance is a type of performing art in which the body moves rhythmically to convey ideas or emotions. So, the next time you don’t feel like working out, just put on some rock music and let your body go with the flow.
3. Walking your dog/pet
Dogs make excellent walking partners and can also be a part of your physical training. If you’re a dog parent, taking your dog for a few weekly walks can significantly benefit your health and social life. Moreover, other benefits of walking regularly include increased cardiovascular fitness, lowered blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones, and reduced stress. So, taking your dog out for a walk can be a great exercise too if you do not want to do heavy workouts in the gym.
4. Practising yoga
Yoga is considered one of the best ways to improve physical fitness. This is because when you practise yoga, your brain cells form new connections, and structural and functional changes occur. As a result, it improves your cognitive abilities like learning and memory. Moreover, yoga strengthens memory, attention, awareness, cognition, and language-related brain regions.
5. Shedding some extra kilos from the body
Are you also struggling with weight management and trying to lose some extra kilos? Well, the good news is that one of the most immediate effects of physical exercise is weight loss, which also helps our brain in many ways. Also, losing weight eases pressure on the blood vessels, promotes blood flow to the brain, and improves general brain function.
Bottom line
Any physical activity can provide a euphoric experience and decrease anxiety and depressive symptoms. Needless to say, exercise is a non-direct but powerful stress reliever, and it may also stimulate the development of new neurons. All these benefits make physical exercise an indispensable part of our lifestyle. However, it is advisable to avoid pushing yourself too hard because intense exercise might make you more stressed, which can damage your memory circuits. So, without further delay, try to include physical exercise in your daily routine and see how your mental health changes for the better in the long run. In case of queries, feedback and suggestions, feel free to reach out to us at editor@yuvaap.com.
Mr. Sunil Navale is a distinguished figure in the world of fitness, fueled by an unwavering passion for well-being. He is trained at the FISAF Singapore, a globally renowned organisation in the fitness industry Read More