If you would like to be at your very best mentally, and in order to have well-functioning and dynamic brain, an extremely important element of your program should incorporate regular physical exercise.

You may question why exercise is essential when your primary concern would be to enhance the functioning of your brain.

People usually fail to remember that the brain is essentially a part of the physical body, and also has essential physical needs. The human brain is nourished through the blood that enters by way of your arteries, pumped through your heart. Our blood carries the oxygen and nutrients that our brain cells have to burn for fuel.

People usually fail to remember that the brain is essentially a part of the physical body, and also has essential physical needs.  Photo Credit: www.scientificamerican.com

People usually fail to remember that the brain is essentially a part of the physical body, and also has essential physical needs.
Photo Credit: www.scientificamerican.com

Many experiments carried out on humans have discovered that the brain gains from exercise. Here are several ways exercise will help thinking process or brain function:

  • It enhances the blood oxygenation.
  • It will help lower blood pressure level.
  • It enhances blood circulation in the brain.
  • It strengthens the heart, the pump that will keep all things going.
  • It lowers the artery-blocking cholesterol levels.
  • Exercising on a regular basis can alleviate depression.
  • It counters the harmful effects of potential stress on the brain.
  • It boosts self-esteem and confidence.
  • It will help maintain levels of blood sugar that is essential, specifically for people suffering from diabetes.
  • It can increase the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine that not just influence mood, but in addition helps “lock in” memories once they form.

Despite the fact that we all know that exercise is beneficial to us, not many of us are inclined on working out our bodies, just like not many of us are inclined on working out our minds. As we age, many of us usually lose the need to exercise ourselves, both physically and mentally.

If you are certainly not actively exercising currently, you may think that almost everybody else, but you are busy biking, running, hiking, swimming and weight lifting. The fact is that merely a few of adults exercises regularly.

What types of exercises can help your brain along with your body? To boost the oxygenating capacity of the lungs and heart, cardio exercises are the most useful. What this means is the type of exercise in which you tax the body enough to increase your heart rate to some target level.

To achieve cardio benefits for your lungs, heart and circulatory system, try to carry out the kind of exercise which will drive your heart beat as much as fifty percent faster than your rest rate. You do not have to work up a sweat for your lungs and heart to reap some benefits, and you do not have to go overboard. Learn to maintain a stable pace even when doing some type of cardio exercise that also enables you to talk comfortably along with a friend. To boost your cardio capacity, exercise aerobically for around twenty minutes 3-4 times per week.

Swimming is a kind of exercise, which could greatly enhance the oxygenating capacity of the lungs and heart. Swimming under water shouldn’t be pursued for those who have any kind of heart or perhaps blood vessel disease unless of course if you’ve got approval from your doctor.

Another kind of exercise that lots of people find very advantageous for their brains is some type of mind-body exercise. Individuals who carry out mind-body exercises on a regular basis report that they experience much better clarity of thinking, reduced stress and boosted calmness. You will find many variations and schools of mind-body exercise, such as yoga, chi-gung and tai-chi.

For lots of people, probably the most readily obtainable and widely advantageous type of exercise is walking. You can walk all alone or perhaps you can walk along with other people. You can do it outdoors or indoors.

Here’s an article from The Charlotte Observer for some added information on how exercise can increase brain function.

How Exercise Revs Brainpower

[quote style=”boxed”]It has long been accepted that exercise cuts the risk of heart disease, and recent studies suggest a raft of more general benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain types of cancer and even preventing Type 2 diabetes. Now it seems that workout warriors can also expect a boost in brainpower, too.

Researchers are finding that fitness has a long-term influence on a wide range of cognitive abilities.[/quote]

Read the full article here

Therefore, it is not too late to start exercising. Choose an exercise that you will enjoy at the same time. Never choose an exercise that is too strenuous to start with if you’re not accustomed to working out. If you begin a workout program that you really enjoy, your body will appreciate it, as well as, your brain. You will feel much more energized mentally and physically, and it will be much easier to handle life’s challenges. On the other hand, always remember to consult your physician before starting any exercise program.

If you want to start an exercise program yet you don’t know how, just contact Dangerously Fit boot camps and we will help you on that. Click here for more information.