If you know
what 30 minutes exercise does to the brain, you will be doing a little work-out
every day. Here are eight scientifically proven brain boosting benefits
associated with just a half hour of exercise…
1.
Quickens Decision Making & Problem Solving
A 2013 National Institutes of Health study
found that exercise not only makes you quicker on your feet, but quicker when
it comes to decision making abilities as well, by boosting the amount of white
matter (connection making tissues) in the brain.
The study monitored the problem solving and
decision making skills of a group of older adults who regularly exercised and
weighed them against their sedentary counterparts. Researchers found that
participants who enjoyed regular aerobic fitness had stronger white matter
integrity and better cognitive speed.
2.
Prevents Depression
Many of us have
read studies that claim exercise fights depression symptoms, however, this
2014 study published in the journal, Cell, found that exercise also prevents
depression in the first place.
Researchers
explain that stress triggers a harmful substance that builds up in the
blood and brain. However, scientists pinpointed a
specific protein (known as Skeletal muscle PGC-1α1) that can help
break down and eradicate this harmful stress substance. Good news,
this protective stress protein is naturally produced by skeletal muscle during
exercise.
3.
Exercise Boosts Energy
While many
folks use the excuse that they don’t have the energy to exercise, this 2008
study conducted by researchers at the University of Gerogia, found that
low and medium levels of physical activity actually boosted overall energy.
Researchers
found that instead of zapping energy, light exercise actually created a “second
wind” effect on the body and mind, meaning it improved energy levels and
reduced fatigue.
4.
Exercise Strengthens Willpower
Walking by a
Cinnabon at the mall can be a sheer feat of mental will. So it should be no
surprise that willpower, the inner power to avoid every temptation, is governed
largely by brain power.
A 2013 study
published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine studied the impact of brain
on our ability to adhere to personal, professional, and healthy goals in a
mixed group of participants aging from childhood to 35-years old. The
scientists concluded that short stretches of physical activity across all
age groups significantly improved inhibition and interference control (or
willpower).
5.
Creates Emotional Resilience to Stress
Stress affects
us all in different ways, however, this 2014 research study, published in the journal,Frontiers
in Psychology, found that just 30-minutes of exercise daily can make a great
difference in your emotional state in the fact of stress.
The study
exposed a group of participants to a stressful event and monitored the
results. Half of the group exercised regularly and the other half
were sedentary in lifestyle. Findings showed that the physically fit group
maintained a positive attitude and better emotional outlook compared to the
sedentary participants.
6.
Keep Emotions in Check
If you can’t
hold your temper or burst into tears at a sideways glance, this 2006 National
Institutes of Health Study may reason that you’re not getting enough exercise.
These scientists studied the effects of physical exercise on emotional control,
in regards to emotions as part of our psychological makeup as human beings.
Study
participants were monitored over a 2 month duration while participating in a
regular exercise program. The researchers claimed that even brief bouts of
exercise had a positive calming and centering affect on behavioral
patterns, emotional control, and emotional stress.
7.
Protects the Heart
Doctors often
recommend exercise to protect us from numerous chronic diseases. So it
shouldn’t surprise you that there are plenty of studies that espouse the
benefit of exercise on cardiovascular health and wellness.
One such study
was presented in 2008 study by the American Stroke Association, and noted
that moderate exercise in men and women, significantly lowered the risk of
stroke (by up to 40-percent).
Source:
activebeat.com
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