Periodically getting a good workout (or playout) makes you a better person. No, really, it has been shown to have significant positive psychological, physical and emotional benefits including:
- -Improved reaction time
- -Better information processing
- -Enhanced memory
- -More focus
- -Less depression
This is some of what is at play:
Brain Growth
Until relatively recently, it was thought impossible to produce new neurons as an adult. We now know this not to be true. Not only is the brain capable of creating new neurons (a process called neurogenesis), research shows that regular exercise stimulates this regeneration. This renewal conveniently takes place in an area of the brain that is most susceptible to the damaging effects of stress hormones (AKA the hippocampus). Stress related damage to this area causes memory loss.
More Juice
Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers of your brain and unfortunately the amount we produce tends to decline with age. Fortunately, activities such as walking fast, running, biking, swimming and soccer can increase their production (especially the brain chemicals norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine). This has positive effects on both thinking and mood. Another type of beneficial brain “juice” which appears to be stimulated by getting a sweat on are neutrophic factors. These nervous system proteins are responsible for helping neurons survive, adapt and grow; all important functions for learning, focus and memory.
Better Flow
Blood circulation is necessary throughout the body… especially your head. Good blood flow is vital for cellular waste removal as well as the delivery of nutrients, glucose (fuel) and oxygen. In addition to just generally increasing overall blood flow, exercise stimulates the production of new blood vessels in the brain.
More Oxygen
Cardiovascular exercise increases our lung capacity enabling us to breath deeper and deliver more oxygen to our body’s cells. In a world where oxygen is down from 30-50% from pre-historic times (where the vast amount of our evolution took place), getting more from each breath can only be good. This is especially important for those of us that tend to breath shallow short breaths when stressed out.
Getting Kinetic
The type and duration of exercise is important however. It needs to be cardiovascular/aerobic exercise at least 3 times a week, long enough to break a decent sweat. Less than that doesn’t give the full benefits outlined above. Bringing a friend along with you on your bike ride, walk, swim or jump rope not only helps motivation wise, but also has the added benefits of social stretching (more on that later).