Brain Health And Exercise
Talking about brain health and exercise, I could remember clearly, still a younger man, I made a lot of resolutions every new year, especially concerning how to improve my physical health, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, eating more fruits in my breakfast, doing more exercise, and so on.
Sometimes we tend to focus on our physical health alone, but what about our mental health? that is the crucial important risk factor for acquiring Alzheimer’s disease or associated dementia to age.
While we cannot avoid dementia, we can make lifestyle changes to lower our risk.
But before we start worrying about our memories. We should first work on maintaining a healthy brain that is more than just puzzles and brain teasers!
Brain Health Exercise
Ensure that your workout will increase your heart rate. What is beneficial to the heart is help to the brain.
The brain requires oxygen, which it obtains from your blood, circulates through, and the heart is responsible for this.
These sorts of exercises can vary from person to person. But, if simply walking gets your heart pumping.
Suppose walking feels too simple or doesn’t get your heart rate up. You can try something a bit more strenuous, such as a light gym or a stationary bike.
Anxiety and despair can be relieved by using these drugs. (Consider them a neurochemical “bubble bath” for your brain.)
It only takes 10 to 35 minutes of physical activity per day to lift your mood instantly. No access to a gym? Take a short stroll instead of taking the elevator.
The Benefit of Brain Health And Exercise
1. It helps your concentration and focus
I discovered that a single workout could help increase your ability to shift and focus attention in one of my lab trials.
After 30 minutes of exercise, you can get an immediate benefit that can endure for at least two hours.
The workouts that increase your heart rate include jogging, swimming, cycling, playing tennis, or jumping rope, among my recommendations.
But by a professional guide.
2. It stimulates the formation of new brain cells
Recent research indicates that one of the most significant benefits of exercise is increased neurogenesis, often known as new neurons.
3. It protects your brain against aging and neurological diseases
Consider your brain to be a muscle: the more you work it, the stronger and more significant it becomes.
Prolonged human research indicates, exercising regularly has been shown to increase the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex size. Both are vulnerable to neurodegenerative disorders, including dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Although exercising cannot wholly cure average cognitive decline in aging, it can help reduce or delay its onset.
Nutritional Values On Brain Health And Exercise
Some of us pay attention to what we eat, while others do not! However, even simple dietary adjustments can impact your brain’s health.
For example, the mind diet is connected to improved brain function. It is similar to the Mediterranean diet. Which consists of eating foods high in vitamins that are beneficial for your heart, such as leafy greens, nuts, berries, whole grains, and so on.
As much as possible, avoid fried foods, high sugar foods, and processed foods.
Relaxation And Sleep
We want to keep our brains lively and stimulated, but we also need to rest and recharge. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation and stress can both induce symptoms that resemble dementia!
Make sure you get enough rest by practicing meditation, deep breathing, or other relaxation techniques. This will allow your brain to be well alive.
Cognitive Activity
It has long been said that keeping your brain active maintains your mind healthy. While this is true, you need to keep your brain challenged.
Practicing only one exercise will not keep us in shape or improve our health. Likewise, limiting to only one type of exercise will not hold us in form or affect our mental health.
With age, disease, or bad habits, your cognitive ability, and brain health may deteriorate.
Cognitive stimulation exercises can help you enhance your attention, memory, and overall mental health, which can help you defy this degeneration.
Here are the various cognitive skills you use in your daily life. They include attention, reasoning, visual, memory, logic, and auditory processing. Details will be in my next article.
And some of the cognitive exercises you can practice that will also help improve your brain health include, Counting Letters, Mindful Walking, Color Arrangement, Drawing, and many more.
When something becomes too simple, try something new or more challenging! Variety and challenge are essential for a healthy brain!
Disclaimer:
While we attempt to provide accurate, up-to-date, and safe information in all of our articles and guides, it’s important to note that they are not a replacement for medical advice from a doctor or healthcare practitioner. Whenever possible, you should consult a practicing professional who can diagnose your situation. This guide’s content is only informative and does not constitute medical advice.
