For the last week of our Brain Health conversation, let’s discuss physical activity and brain health, and activities to promote a strong brain! Keep reading to find out what you can do to include more movement into your day, and how exercise can impact your brain.
How does exercise impact your brain?
Physical activity can help you think, learn, improve your memory, boost your mood, and help to lower anxiety and depression.
Regular physical activity can help to lower the risk of mental decline such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Studies have shown adults who are not physically active are up to twice as likely to experience cognitive decline compared to those who are active regularly.
Exercise promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to create new connections and learn throughout your life.
How can you move more during the day?
· Park farther away from your destination, such as work or the grocery store.
· Take stairs over escalators or elevators when possible.
· Stand up every hour of the workday and stretch if possible.
· Go for a 10-minute walk anytime you have the chance, whether outside or around the office!
How much exercise should you get?
150 minutes of exercise or more a week is recommended to maintain a healthy body and mind. The most common way to reach this goal is by exercising for 30-minutes, 5 days a week.
A combination of strength training and cardiovascular exercise is recommended. Cardio can consist of various movements such as:
· Walking
· Running
· Biking
· Swimming
· Dancing
What other activities can improve brain health?
Physical activity is great for the brain, we can also incorporate other activities into our routines to improve brain function! The more complex the activity the higher the benefit. Reactive sports, dance choreography, and activities that require memorization have added benefits.
Yoga, Zumba, Golf, and Tennis are great activities for improving coordination and motor skills.
Puzzles can improve your fine motor skills.
Crosswords can help improve analytical thinking and memory.
Sudoku puzzles can improve problem-solving skills.
Physical activity is about more than building muscle or losing fat, regular movement can improve brain function and prevent mental decline. No one exercise that will benefit your brain more than another, prioritizing daily movement is key.
We hope over the past 3 weeks you have learned new information about Brain Health that can help you live a well-balanced and healthy life!
If you have questions or want more tips on physical activity for a healthy brain, contact one of our Health & Fitness professionals today at personaltraining@heavensacademy.com
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