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Feeling a little lethargic? Memory not what it used to be? There’s an easy fix and it’s not playing another round of sudoku on your phone. In fact, put the phone down and get up and move. No, seriously! Moving your body can do more for your brain health than you may realize.
Kim Johnson Hatchett, MD is a neurologist who has gone viral on TikTok for sharing the scariest things she sees in the brains of her patients aged 30 to 100. What scares her the most? Not what’s going on in our heads, but what’s going on with our bodies.
“As a neurologist, there’s one thing that concerns me the most: The gradual weakening of America,” Hatchett shared in an article for SELF magazine. “What I am referring to is muscle weakness, which is more tightly linked to brain health than most people realize.”
You may be thinking how can squats and closing the circles on my Apple Watch improve my cognitive brain health? “Every time you exercise, you secrete nerve growth factor (NGF), a peptide involved in regulating neurons in the brain,” Hatchett explains. “That pop of NGF will just help your brain function better. [Exercise] can also support myelin, the neuroprotective sheath that helps nerve fibers shuttle electrical impulses quickly and efficiently and can degenerate with age.”
SEE ALSO: Breathe Your Way To Less Stress With These Exercises
By doing cardio, you increase blood flow to the brain, which improves memory and reduces the risk of dementia. Participating in fitness and trying new physical activities like group sports is akin to learning a new skill which creates connections in your brain. And the more new activities you try, the more you strengthens those connections.
“Getting weaker as you age is not inevitable and regular exercise and strength training will pay off in dividends in the end,” Hatchett encourages.
Basically, exercise in preventative care for the aging process. As we grow older, our muscle mass decreases every year making us more vulnerable to injury. Maintaining a regular fitness routine can prevent injuries and deterioration of our mental functions.
Most Americans live a pretty sedentary lifestyle, with 25 percent of Americans not participating in any regular physical activity (like sports, walking, or working outside). About 35 percent of Americans have sedentary jobs that don’t require any rigorous movement throughout the day. Even a little exercise a day could result in renewed physical vitality and strength.
So the next time you feel the urge to plop down on the couch and tell Netflix you’re still watching, try out some easy exercises instead that can save your brain and improve your overall health. Walking outdoors or on a treadmill is a great way to get started (if you have a walking pad at home, you can even move while binging TV or playing Candy Crush!). Hatchett also recommends basic weight training like bicep curls with light weights or chair squats. Even a few minutes a day can have a huge impact on your longevity. And if you’re feeling up to it, try something new like group exercises or local sports. The more you work your body, the easier it will get.
If you’re not investing in your strength, you’re not investing in your mind. Take back control over your aging process and get that body moving. Your brain will thank you.
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The post Move It or Lose It: How Exercise is the Secret Weapon for a Sharper, Stronger Brain appeared first on Elev8.
Move It or Lose It: How Exercise is the Secret Weapon for a Sharper, Stronger Brain was originally published on elev8.com
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