KAWARTHA LAKES-Many people think of exercise as something one does to maintain their weight, boost athletic performance, or reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. But did you know that regular daily exercise can decrease your risk of cognitive decline? Did you know it can make you smarter and more creative? Did you know it can also help you to manage or control other vices?
Exercise is a powerful thing!
Read on to find out more about the amazing benefits of incorporating a daily exercise routine into your daily life!
1)Physical Activity Can Reduce Your Risk of Dementia & Cognitive Decline:
As we age, our brains actually become smaller as nerves start to lose their connection and we may experience cognitive decline as a result of this “thinned out” network. Science is constantly evolving in this realm and new information is continuously being revealed that exercise and a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce one’s risk of dementia. In a recent study, experts did an MRI on the brain’s of 678 70 year-olds, determining their brain size and amount of white matter (which is the active area where our neurons fire). They closely monitored this group for 3 years, measuring what activities they did on a daily basis (crosswords, social engagements, walking, sports, etc). After the participants reached 73 years, the MRI scan was repeated, and amazing results were found. People in their 70’s who had participated in regular physical activity frequently throughout the week had less brain shrinkage and other signs of aging than their counterparts who did not exercise. Wow!
2)Exercise Can Make Your Smarter and More Creative:
According to many studies, regular exercise can cause Neurogenesis, which means that the brain creates new brain cells and pathways. There is one type of exercise in particular that seems to have the biggest impact on the brain’s neuroplasticity and that is cardiovascular activities like running. Men & women who engage in running seem to express more neurogenesis in their brains. What’s even more fascinating is BDNF-Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor-a protein that is expressed in adults who exercise on a regular basis. This neurotropic factor is like “Miracle Grow” for our brains and helps us to retain information, sharpens our memory and improves cognitive function. Now you want to get outside for a run, don’t you?
3)Exercise Can Help You Manage & Control Other Vices:
If you, like many others, have a vice like drinking, smoking, eating, caffeine, shopping, or something else that is difficult to quit because it’s a source of pleasure, exercise could be just the thing to help you shake it. All of the previously mentioned “vices” activate the reward system in our brains. When we engage in pleasurable activities our brain releases Dopamine-a feel good chemical. Dopamine is what makes us associate this thing-lime our morning coffee and donuts-with pleasure, happiness, and reward. Well, exercise just happens to also release Dopamine-only instead of coming with a heavy price tag of weight gain, poor sleep, and empty wallets, it comes with a myriad of health benefits! Win-win!
So there you have it-another reason to start that class, go to the gym, or get outside for a walk. Exercise is medicine and it does not come with a laundry list of side effects, either! If you need more health and wellness guidance, check out my website at http://www.sweathappywellness.com!
Becky Sheehey is a Holistic Health Coach, and a Pilates and Movement Expert with a background in Kinesiology. She lives in Lindsay.
