The Brain Loves to Train

There are countless reasons why exercise is beneficial and should be a priority. Yes, exercise can improve how we look and it can enhance how we feel, but most of all, it helps with brain function, sleep, and handling stress. It’s a no brainer!

For example, a while back a study was performed on a group of elementary students to show how exercise can improve one’s academics. To prove this, the students were academically tested before and after being given an exercise program. The outcome? There was an increase in performance by the entire grade after the children had completed the exercise program. But when the exercise program was taken away and the children stopped their physical activity, the students fell back to their original grades. Thus proving that in order to receive the benefits from exercises you must continue to exercise.

Exercise also has long term cognitive benefits and can even help with Alzheimer’s. (This does not mean you will not develop Alzheimer’s, but exercise can help decrease your chances). But wait it gets better! Physical activity is linked to improving our executive function and willpower. Why is executive function important?  It helps to develop skills of teamwork, leadership, decision-making, working toward goals, critical thinking, adaptability, and being aware of your own emotions as well as those of others.

Not only does exercise assist in promoting academia, but there are also mental and emotional benefits. Our brains respond to stress in a unique way. In fact, the body really only knows one type of stress, whether it is mental or physical and exercise can improve your stress response by reducing levels of cortisol (stress hormone) which, in turn helps with anxiety. There is also a correlation to improving sleep which is critical for recovery.

Here are some other benefits of exercise:

• Norepinephrine Release—improves attention, perception, and motivation

• Endorphin Release—dulling pain sensation

• Serotonin Release—enhances mood

• Dopamine Release—improves motivation, focus, and learning

• Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Release—which is the protect and repair neurons.

• Blood flow to the brain increases, therefore more oxygen and nutrients are delivered.

• Over time the hippocampus grows with exercise, which improves learning ability and memory.

• Brain cells grow, mood regulation, and improved mental clarity