We all know exercise is great for us. We are told countless amounts of times, and many of us have experienced the feel-good results for ourselves. Often, there is a focus on how exercise can transform our bodies – how to lose fat, build up muscle or work on a specific area of the body, but what about the benefits that exercise has on the inside? This piece will discuss what exercise can do for us psychologically, so read on to find out more about mind over matter!
Exercise Is Neuroprotective
Exercise is a vital part of our health, and some of the preventative measures it can encourage might sound astounding. While we are encouraged to take antioxidants or drink green juice in the pursuit of protecting our body from damaging free radicals and toxins, did you know that studies have shown that exercise is actually one of the best ways to prevent our brain from those factors?
What this means is that for those who exercise regularly, this action helps prevent the brain from neurotoxicity and can even help prevent the brain from becoming victim to certain neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
Prevents Cognitive Decline
Another important and useful effect of exercise is the preventative effect it can have on cognitive decline. Our brains are prone to slowing down as we get older and we might start showing symptoms of dementia. However, exercise can boost cognitive function, preventing or slowing cognitive decline that comes with age. There is evidence to suggest that those who do not exercise or keep their cardiovascular health in shape are much more likely to develop dementia, which means victims suffer from a variety of issues such as memory loss, confusion, and mood issues, to name a few.
Increases Pain Threshold
Interestingly, the endorphins that are released after a good workout were shown to increase pain tolerance! While you might think, “Oh, I’ll have to exercise every time before I want the effect”, there has been evidence to suggest that those who exercise regularly actually end up changing their perception of pain, thus changing the pain threshold for the long haul.
Exercise And Brain Plasticity
Did you know that your brain is malleable at any age? We often hear the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” and while it is trickier the older we get, it is far from impossible. Exercise is one of the ways in which we can do this. Neuroplasticity is essentially the molding of our physiological brain in response to our surroundings and situations, which shape us, and exercise facilitates the changes in this by activating different parts of your brain.
This is also one of the exact reasons why exercise is recommended for those who struggle with depression, as the act can help change the way in which the brain is ‘wired,’ which can then alleviate the symptoms of depression. Different exercises have different effects, but the best option to help shape your brain is cardiovascular. This means you can start with a walk and build yourself up! It's time to a some muscle to your mind.
