You may not realize it, but your brain needs exercise just as much as your body does. Studies have shown that regular exercise boosts brain function, making you smarter and helping you process information better. As part of our weekly fitness series, we’re looking at the best exercises to improve brain function and keep your mind sharp and focused throughout the day. Check out our top five picks below!
1) Aerobic
There’s a reason why activities like running, biking, and swimming top many brain foods lists—and that reason is that aerobic exercise can benefit your mental health. Research suggests that cardiovascular exercise such as jogging may increase your brain’s production of new cells (neurogenesis) and protect against damage caused by age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
2) Strength training
Just 20 minutes of strength training will help you stay sharp and even ward off memory loss. As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass, so it’s important to keep your muscles strong as you get older. It increases bone density, which helps prevent osteoporosis in later life, too. And if you don’t want to hit up a gym? No problem—you can do resistance exercises at home with little more than a set of dumbbells or cans of food. Best part? You don’t need much time—even 10-minute sessions will do wonders for your brain function!
3) Jumping rope
A study conducted by Temple University found that an exercise as simple as the jumping rope can improve brain function in older people. Researchers studied 37 people between ages 60 and 80, 15 of whom exercised with 10 minutes of jump rope daily for six months, while those in the control group did not. At the end of their time, researchers found memory scores improved by about 15 percent among those who jumped rope.
4) Yoga
Yoga combines physical exercise with deep breathing techniques, which have been shown to reduce anxiety and stress. By combining mental acuity with physical activity, yoga can deliver multiple health benefits, including improved memory and brain function. So next time you’re looking for an effective workout, try giving yoga a shot.
5) Stretching
Stretching is one of those things you might have heard about in grade school, but have never actually done. Whether that’s because you’re really into your sports and think it makes you look like a dork or because it just seems unnecessary, stretching is something everyone should be doing. It not only makes your muscles feel good after an intense workout or playing with your kids, but stretches improve brain function too! You can do basic stretches while standing up or even while sitting at your desk at work.
0 Comments