What sort of exercise is good for the brain? In general, any exercise that’s good for the heart is good for the brain.

In other words, exercise is essential for optimizing brain function. This means that our brains developed to make active lives possible. The structure of the human brain was formed long before we began leading “civilized” lives. Before that, we had mostly nomadic lives, always on the move over mountains and fields. We’ve lived life as we do now - as modern humans - at most for 5,000 of those years. The timeline of human evolution is thought to be about three million years. That makes cross-training far more productive than performing precisely the same exercises day after day. Your brain reaps instant benefits when you exercise in novel and unexpected ways. Complex exercises involving coordination, balance, and diverse movements stimulate multiple brain areas simultaneously, reinforcing the connections between them. That, in turn, initiates a variety of calming and rejuvenating responses within your limbic system. Exercise is a remarkable stress reducer - even the simplest movement neutralizes stress hormones and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. Even the simplest muscle movements spur new synaptic connections.Īnother major effect of exercise is that it promotes production of neurotropins and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, putting the brain into a pleasant, happy state. Exercise also enhances the brain’s plasticity, expanding and connecting its network of connections by increasing the blood flow to the brain. It seems that aerobic exercise helps stem cells in the hippocampus divide and grow. The hippocampus, a part of the brain closely related to memory and learning, gets bigger with regular exercise. Exercising regularly will help you gain the strength and stamina to act on your creative ideas and plans, and you’ll build the self-discipline and willpower you need to achieve your loftiest goals.Īccording to a study conducted at the University of British Columbia, the brain’s information-processing capacity and memory improve with just 20 to 30 minutes of exercise a day. It’s essential for a smart brain and a brain that feels happy. Exercise isn’t only for losing weight and creating good-looking muscle. Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of exercise on the brain.

Brisk walking benefits for brain