Planning for a Healthy Brain

If you do not exercise for the love of movement, then exercise for the love of your body and health. If you do not exercise for your physique and health, exercise for the magnificent effects movement has on your brain. If this is not enough motivation, exercise because it will literally make you a smarter and more highly functioning human being .

There are numerous studies in neuroscience which prove that working in the body changes your brain composition, leading to improved cognition. A study conducted on mice proved that mice who exercise had nearly twice the amount of nerve cells in the hippocampus (area of the brain associated with learning). On top of new cells in the hippocampus, you increase the amount of blood flow to the brain. Hours of strenuous exercise are not required to reap the rewards of physical training, light to moderate levels of exercise will have an effect as well. Although all forms of exercise have their merits, cardio seems to be the most effective in helping the brain. There is a catch. If you adopt a workout schedule that works for you and eventually revert back to your sedentary ways, the improvements made to your brain will quickly (possibly in 10 days!!) go away; “If you don’t use it you lose it.” Do not be intimidated to begin exercising no matter what your age, when it comes to neuroplasticity, old dogs can learn new tricks. No matter what age, exercise will benefit your body, health, and brain functioning.
Cardio is not the only way to improve brain functioning, my pride and joy yoga also works wonders for the brain.”Yogis had larger brain volume in the somatosensory cortex, which contains a mental map of our body, the superior parietal cortex, involved in directing attention, and the visual cortex” writes Stephani Sutherland in an article titled “How yoga changes the brain” for The Scientific American.
Exercises that require problem solving are a double whammy when it comes to increased cognition. Bouldering and rock climbing are like physical puzzles. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is often called a game of human chess. Both of these sports increase your creativity and force you to develop your problem solving capacity.
Now that you have been properly incentivised, let’s talk about kinds of movement and exercise routines.
  • For people with access to your standard gym, I would recommend using step climbers, ellipticals, and treadmills. If your body prevents your from running, walk.  
    • Weight lifting is good for your health, stress levels, and physique, but is not the most efficient way to strengthen the brain. Search no further than Bodybuilding.com for all the information you could ask for on weightlifting.
  • For people with access to yoga studios, go to class!! Studies show a positive correlation between time doing yoga and brain improvement.
  • For those interested in learning to defend themselves, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been called the most effective martial art in the world, and for good reason. Learning BJJ turns you into a superhuman as far as anyone not trained is concerned
    • Here is joe Rogan’s take
  • Those without any access to equipment, practice calisthenics and take some time to walk or hike, depending on your location.
Hope this helps! Get started asap y’all, your brain is begging you!

Sources
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-yoga-changes-the-brain/

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