Boost Your Brain Power With Exercise!

By: Royane Real Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Do you want to improve your mental performance and have a sharper brain?

If you really want to be at your absolute peak mentally, if you want to have a dynamic and well functioning brain, an essential component of your program must include regular physical exercise. Does that surprise you?

You might wonder why physical exercise is important if your main priority is to improve the functioning of your mind.

People often forget that the brain is actually part of the physical body, and it has very important physical needs. Your brain is nourished by the blood that comes in through your arteries, pumped by your heart. The blood carries the nutrients and oxygen that your brain cells need to burn for fuel.

Many scientific tests conducted on humans and animals have found that the brain benefits from physical exercise. Here are some of the ways exercise helps brain function:

• Exercise improves the oxygenation of the blood.

• Exercise helps lower blood pressure.

• Exercise improves circulation of blood within the brain.

• Physical activity strengthens the heart, which is the pump that keeps everything going.

• Exercise reduces the levels of artery-clogging cholesterol.

• Regular exercise can relieve depression.

• Exercise counteracts the damaging effects of long-term stress on the brain.

• It improves mood and self-esteem.

• Exercise helps keep blood sugar level, which is very important, particularly for diabetics.

• Exercise can boost the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which not only affect mood, but also help “lock in” memories when they form.

• In animal studies, exercise appears to enhance the production of nerve growth factor, which helps the cells of the brain form new connections with each other.

How much should you exercise? Whatever you choose to do it is important that you continue to do it regularly. Exercising vigorously for three hours on the weekend will not make up for a sedentary lifestyle the rest of the week. It will also leave you exhausted and sore, and unwilling to exercise again.

It is therefore important to choose an activity that you really enjoy. Don’t pick anything too strenuous to begin with if you are not used to exercising.

Aim to exercise at least four times a week or more, for at least half an hour at a time, up to an hour. If you are over forty, are out of shape, or have some medical condition, check with your doctor before undertaking an exercise program.

If you aren’t currently actively exercising, you might assume that almost everyone else but you is busy running, swimming, biking, hiking, and lifting weights. The truth is that only a minority of adults exercises consistently. Only a minority of adults are getting the physical and mental benefits that an exercise program could bring.

What sorts of exercises will help your brain as well as your body? To improve the oxegenating capacity of your heart and lungs, aerobic exercises are the best. This means the kind of exercise where you tax your body enough to raise your heart beat rate to a target level.

If you start a regular exercise program that you enjoy, your body will thank you, and your brain will thank you too! You’ll feel more energized both physically and mentally, and will be better able to handle life’s challenges.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: This article is taken from the new downloadable book by Royane Real titled "How to Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better and Be More Creative." It's available at www.lulu.com/real