Physical exercise is like a magical elixir for the brain. It’s like giving your brain a power-up, like when Mario eats a mushroom in the classic video game. It makes your brain stronger, faster, and more resilient. It’s like taking your brain to the gym and giving it a good workout.
You see, when you engage in physical activity, your body pumps more blood and oxygen to your brain, which helps to nourish and energize it. This is like giving your brain a delicious smoothie made of pure oxygen and nutrients. It’s like giving it a caffeine boost without the jitters.
Exercise also helps to release chemicals in the brain called endorphins, which are like tiny little happiness fairies that dance around in your head and make you feel great. It’s like giving your brain a spa day and a massage all in one.
Opt for vigorous physical activity!
Imagine if every step you take, every move you make, could be analyzed for its impact on your brain power. Well, a new study that CNN writes about did just that by strapping activity monitors on roughly 4,500 people in the UK and tracking their movements for a week. And what did they find? That those who shook things up with a bit of vigorous activity, as little as 6-9 minutes, had higher cognitive scores than those who just sat around or were only mildly active. It’s like giving your brain a quick jolt of caffeine but without the jitters.
Vigorous activity is usually represented by activities such as jogging, running, biking up a hill, and more.
The new study also revealed that too much idle time, like sleeping or sitting, can dull the mind, like a bad hangover. So next time you’re tempted to hit snooze or lounge on the couch, remember that every step counts for a sharper mind.
Regular physical exercise is usually known to also help to improve memory and learning. It’s like giving your brain a personal tutor. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. It’s like giving your brain a vacation.
The new study was published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
