Have you heard the saying “exercise is good for the mind, body, and spirit”? Well, it’s true! It is scientifically proven that exercise can help the functions of the brain and keep you happy and healthy. Want to know how? Keep reading for more information.
Overall, it is proven that 45 minutes to an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise is good for the brain. It improves blood flow, therefore brain function and so much more! “There is now a wide body of research showing that the benefits to the body with exercise also exist for the brain,” says study author Joe Northey, a Ph.D candidate at the University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise in Australia. “When older adults undertake aerobic or resistance exercise, we see changes to the structure and function of areas of the brain responsible for complex mental tasks and memory function.”
Research done by New Mexico Highlands University found that when people walk, the impact of their feet hitting the ground sends waves through arteries, increasing blood flow to the brain. The research shows that people saw a larger increase in blood flow when they ran – but walking is better than nothing and definitely had a positive effect on people’s health and brain function. Zip Fitness has cardio machines to help you get a walk in no matter when the weather is like outside.
Exercise also releases feel-good hormones such as endorphins, which combat depression and anxiety. So when you are having a stressful day, instead of vegging on the couch, get out there and take a walk. You will feel so much better.
Another one of the ways exercise helps the brain is by helping you sleep better. When your body is tired from a hard day’s work (or workout) you are able to achieve the deeper sleep cycles which allow you to wake up feeling more rested. When you don’t get sleep the stress hormone cortisol increases in the body. You can also experience potential health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack or stroke. So, get your exercise and you’ll get the sleep you need.
Did you know that exercise can also lower a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease as well as slow the brain aging by about 10 years! This again has to do with blood flow as well as the release of insulin into the blood stream and therefore throughout the body. What more benefit do you need than that?
Our personal trainers are available to help you find a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Swing by any of our Zip Fitness locations in the Chicago, IL area. Whether you like to lift weights, take classes, do cardio or soak up some rays in the tanning beds – we are the place for you! We hope to see you soon!
