Wealden Times | WT263 | April 2024 | Garden Supplement inside

Brain power! Health
Sarah Maxwell explores how exercise
affects your grey matter
istockphoto.com/max-kegfire
Exercise has long been
recognised for its positive
impact on physical health.
However, many recent studies
have shown that exercise also
has many transformative effects
on the brain, so if you thought
that Sudoku and brain training
exercises were the best way to
improve your brain, read on…
Cognitive function
Cognitive function refers to the
mental processes and abilities that
enable us to perceive, think, reason
and remember information. It
includes our ability to concentrate,
focus attention, enhance memory,
problem-solve, and make
decisions. Maintaining optimal
cognitive function is essential for
us to operate at an optimal level
and supports our overall wellbeing.
One of the key benefits of
exercise is its ability to boost
cognitive function, including
memory, attention, and
concentration. Regular exercise
stimulates the brain and promotes
the growth of new neurons. It also
strengthens neural connections
and enhances brain plasticity,
which is essential for recovery
from injury and aging.
Creativity &
problem solving
Exercise has also been found to
enhance creativity and problemsolving
skills. By stimulating
the brain’s ability to generate
new ideas and adapt more
efficiently, exercise enables the
brain to rewire itself effectively.
Sleep magic
Another important aspect of
exercise is its impact on sleep.
Regular exercise helps regulate
sleep patterns, enhances brain
function and improves memory.
Sleep is crucial for both physical
and mental wellbeing, as it
allows the body to repair and
rejuvenate. It also boosts immune
function and promotes proper
hormone regulation, which are
essential for memory recall.
Stress & emotional
regulation
Furthermore, exercise plays a
significant role in managing
stress and emotions. It not only
strengthens the body but also
helps us manage stress and regulate
our emotions. Exercise increases
the production of chemicals in
the brain that promote happiness
and reduces inflammation in the
body. This can benefit the brain
and protect against neurological
conditions like Alzheimer’s
and Parkinson’s disease.
Exam success
Exercise is particularly important
during exam periods. While
studying takes precedence, the
stress around exams can impact
sleep and memory retention,
resulting in reduced performance.
Regular exercise can help improve
essential sleep, reduce anxiety,
enhance memory retention and
consolidate revised information.
Incorporating exercise into a
study timetable daily can be key
to achieving success in exams.
So what is the best exercise
you can do to boost
your brain power?
When it comes to choosing
the best exercise to improve
brain function, aerobic
exercises are highly
recommended.
Activities such as
walking, running,
cycling and swimming
have numerous
benefits. They promote the growth
of new brain cells and improve
spatial memory by increasing the
size of the anterior hippocampus.
Additionally, these exercises help
preserve important brain areas
responsible for cognitive function,
which tend to shrink with age.
In a nutshell
By incorporating regular aerobic
exercise into out daily lives, we
can improve both physical health
and brain function. It’s a form of
multitasking that benefits the body
and mind simultaneously.
If you would like to
explore more about
this fascinating
subject, I highly
recommend
watching the TED
Talk by Wendy
Suzuki titled ‘The
Brain Changing
Benefits of
Exercise,’
available at
ted.com.
Sarah
Maxwell is a multiaward
winning Lifestyle
Wellbeing and Fitness coach. You
can find her at sarahmaxwell.com.
Get in touch via email at
sarahmaxwell@mail.com
and on social
@sarahmaxlife
119
priceless-magazines.com