This is What Happens to Your Brain when You Exercise ...

By Corina

Exercising can bring you a lot of wonderful benefits, especially if you make it a habit. It’s one of the best activities that will not only help you stay healthy and look gorgeous, but it will also improve your brain power. It will help you feel good and it will push your motivation levels sky high. A lot of people report feeling more relaxed and more energized after exercising and this happens because exercise helps clear your mind since it reduces the cortisol (a hormone that causes stress) levels. Here is what happens to your brain when you exercise:

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1

Exercise Prevents Brain Aging

One of the most important benefits of exercising is the fact that it prevents brain aging and it also helps prevent and treat some of the major cognitive disorders like dementia or Alzheimer’s. Studies show that exercise boosts the levels of BDHF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which maintains and regenerates adult nerve cells.

2

Exercise Encourages the Pituitary Gland to Release Endorphins

When you exercise, you usually feel calmer, more relaxed and more energized and that’s because your pituitary gland is encouraged to release more endorphins. This will reduce your sensitivity to stress, depression or anxiety or to any other emotional disorders.

3

Exercise Can Reduce the Impairment of Brain Cells

A lot of studies have shown that exercise can reduce the impairment of brain cells and loss of coordination related to Parkinson’s disease. Also, physically active women over 65 are less likely to develop cognitive decline.

4

Exercise Improves Learning and Mental Performance

Studies have shown that 30 minutes of running for undergrads resulted in faster reaction times and vocabulary learning. So if you are studying for an important exam, try to do some exercise and you’ll notice that afterwards, you will be able to focus better and you’ll also be able to get more work done in a shorter amount of time.

5

Exercise Increases Connectivity in the Temporal Lobe

Apparently, aerobic training can increase the connectivity in the temporal lobe. A one-year study showed that walkers improved their brain connectivity up to the level of college-age young adults. That’s quite impressive, right? So what are you waiting for? Put your gym clothes on and just start exercising!

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6

Exercise Improves the Verbal Memory and the Reaction Time

A 25-year long study has found that higher cardiovascular fitness was linked with better verbal memory and reaction time. Also, a lot of studies have shown that exercise has a positive effect on the neurons of your brain by increasing their creation, survival and plasticity.

7

Exercise Improves Concentration and Attention in Kids

Don’t forget about your little ones! A lot of studies have shown that 10 minutes of physical activity each day can increase concentration and attention in 13 to 16-year-olds. It also reduces the symptoms in children diagnosed with ADHD. There are also studies which showed that any form of physical activity produced higher IQ in school-aged kids, which resulted in higher academic achievement test scores.

Exercise will not only help you look good and stay healthy, but it will also keep your brain young and active. Do you exercise? Do you know any other benefits of exercising? Do you think that physical exercise works out your brain? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section!

Sources:
lifehack.org
brainscape.com

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It's funny that while I'm reading an article about exercise im thinking of the muffins I have in the kitchen...

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