MIND|Gray Matter
No-brainer reasons to exercise
Toned figure, strong muscles, fit body, reduced risk of sickness and disease-all these physical benefits make exercise a worthwhile endeavor. However, several studies suggest that both aerobic exercise and strength training done on a regular basis can also positively affect your brain by improving your cognitive function and overall mental health.
According to a study from the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine, regular workouts may speed up learning by improving blood flow to your brain. This, in turn, increases brain chemicals that assist your brain in forming new cells and help already existing cells create new connections, thus improving mental acuity and learning capacity.
Curiously, more involved forms of physical activity where you have to formulate strategies and make quick decisions such as playing tennis or football are more likely to promote brainpower than routine activities such as swimming laps or running round a track.
Most people feel good—euphoric even—after a workout session. The reason behind this is that exercise triggers the production of endorphins, our body’s natural painkillers, as a response to the shock the body receives during exercise.
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