Cape Town - Need motivation to work out?
Most of us hit the gym or pound the pavement to improve cardiovascular health, and off course, to get a rockin’ bod, but working out has above-the-neck benefits too, says a press release from Fedhealth.
Are you constantly misplacing your car keys, or often can’t seem to find the right word? As bizarre as it sounds, scheduling more gym time may be the solution to your problems.
Studies show that making time for exercise provides some serious mental benefits.
Most of us are aware of what happens to the body when we exercise. Exercise pumps more blood throughout the body, including to the brain. More blood means more oxygen and, therefore, better nourished brain tissue.
Exercise also spurs the brain to produce more of a protein called “brain-derived neurotrophic factor”, or BDNF. This powerful protein encourages brain cells to grow, interconnect, and communicate in new ways.
Studies also suggest exercise plays a big role in the production of new brain cells in the part of the brain involved in learning and memory skills. At the same time endorphins are released to minimise the discomfort of exercise, and off course, make us feel good.
Your brain is no different than the rest of the muscles in your body - you either use it or you lose it. Some things to think about:
Exercise boosts brain power:
Studies suggest that aerobic exercise is the single most important variable to increase the production of new neurons in the hippocampus.
Sharpens the memory:
A study showed that running sprints improved vocabulary retention among healthy adults.
Reduces stress and anxiety:
Rough day at the office? Exercise increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress.
Exercise is a powerful anti-depressant:
Studies have shown that exercise can even alleviate symptoms among the clinically depressed. So, release those endorphins and boost your mood by working out for just 20 minutes a few times a week.
Get your creative juices flowing:
A gym session can boost creativity for up to 2 hours afterwards.
Prevents addiction:
Exercise plays a crucial role in many addiction treatment programmes. Feel-good chemicals are released and provide a healthy alternative to addictions.
Prevents cognitive decline:
As we get older our brains get a little hazy. Exercise and healthy eating can’t “cure” Alzheimer’s, but they can help shore up the brain against cognitive decline that begins after 45. Working out boosts the chemicals in the brain that prevent degeneration.
Boosts your self-confidence:
The moment you hit the gym, you feel like a supermodel! Right? Regardless of weight, size, gender, or age, exercise can quickly alleviate a person’s perception of his or her attractiveness.
Exercise will help you to get a good night’s sleep:
Moving around four to five hours before bedtime raises the body’s core temperature. When the body temperature drops back to normal a few hours later, it signals the body that it’s time to sleep. A good night’s sleep is crucial in getting more done.
IOL, adapted from a press release