How Can You Improve Your Brain Health?

In the 1980s, I donned my leotard and leg warmers like Jane Fonda and wore myself out during aerobics class. I thought the purpose of exercise was to lose weight. Feel the burn. Eat less, exercise more, lose weight. That was my goal.

Now I am older, I realize the fundamental goal of exercise is not only losing weight. Taking care of my body as God wants me to and living a long and healthy life are excellent goals.

Did you ever realize exercise improves brain health? When our brains function optimally, so do our bodies.

What is the prefrontal cortex of the brain?

The prefrontal cortex is the most developed part of the brain. It handles executive functions, such as setting goals, personality development, focus, planning, decision-making, and predicting the consequences of one’s actions.

Exercise benefits the health of the prefrontal cortex of the brain.

3 ways exercise improves brain health

Exercise improves many functions of the brain by increasing blood flow to the brain and decreasing chronic inflammation.

Beneficial hormones and proteins released during exercise cause increased neural connections between parts of the brain.

Improve memory

Researchers discovered moderate physical activity improved prefrontal cortex activity and performance of the memory task in this study on older adults.

Another study in older adults with memory problems showed 47% improvement in memory scores after one year of consistent aerobic exercise.

Improve cognition

Cognition includes higher-level functions of the brain, such as language, imagination, perception, planning, decision-making, and problem-solving. All these occur in the prefrontal cortex.

An analysis of the scientific literature examined the hypothesis that aerobic fitness training enhances cognition in healthy but sedentary adults. They found the executive functions of the prefrontal cortex activated by exercise.

Improved cognition begins a habit loop, benefitting our overall wellness. If we take part in moderate exercise, we are more likely to make better decisions for our health and embrace other healthy habits. One excellent decision will lead to another one.

Improve mood

Researchers showed an association between physical activity and a reduced risk of depression.

Improved nerve cell connections in the brain may help relieve depression. In addition, the release of chemicals in the brain induce euphoria and reduce anxiety.

How much exercise do we need to improve brain health?

You don’t have to exhaust yourself doing aerobics 80s style. Even 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise is beneficial.

Incorporate movement such as walking into your daily life.

Conclusion

Dr. Kenneth Cooper, the “Father of Aerobics” said, “We do not stop exercising because we grow old — we grow old because we stop exercising.”

When I realized Dr. Cooper is 89 and still exercising, I thought of my grandfather “Papa”, who in his 90s swam every day. This inspired me to take swimming lessons, and my love of swimming continues to this day.

Exercise improves brain health and enables us to live longer, more productive lives.