It’s a well-known fact that regular physical activity is beneficial for your body. It strengthens bones and muscles, combats health conditions and diseases, improves mood, boosts energy, and makes you feel better. But there’s another benefit to physical activity, and that’s the positive impact it has on your brain!
Being physically active improves cognitive health – it can improve the way you think, learn, problem-solve, and help you enjoy balanced emotions. Exercising can also improve your memory, reduce anxiety, and even help improve your quality of sleep. And here’s the best part – any amount of physical activity has been shown to be beneficial.
Some of the effects of exercise on brain health happen immediately, meaning they occur right after exercise or shortly thereafter, such as a reduced feeling of anxiety, improved sleep, and improved aspects of cognitive function. With regular physical activity, other long-term benefits occur, such as improvements in executive function (the ability to plan and organize, initiate tasks, control emotions), deep sleep, and more manageable long-term anxiety.
What Can You Do?
Being active might be easier than you think. Here are some ideas for how to stay active throughout the day. Remember – every little bit counts!
- Daily Chores – what might count as physical activity? Cleaning, light yard work, laundry, and other household chores can count as activity for the day! If it’s getting you up and moving, it certainly counts.
- Be Active While Watching TV – think of ways to be active to reduce the amount of sedentary time in the day. Keep a list of activities, such as arm circles, marching in place, or leg kicks, to do during commercial breaks while watching your favorite shows.
- Walk – walking is one of the simplest and most effective things we can do. Walk your dog, walk with a friend, walk to get the mail. Take the long way to get to dinner. Walk two times around the building. Think of ways to get extra steps in!
The pros of exercise are countless. The next time you attend an exercise or dancing class, take a walk, or take a dip in the pool, remember you are improving your physical health and your cognitive health!
If you need help determining which exercises might be best for you, reach out to the Functional Pathways Therapy Team and we will be happy to help guide you!