Yes! Exercise does boost, among many other things, mental clarity. Exercise has long been known as the cure-all activity that most of us are reluctant to engage in. We are told over and over that the two easiest ways to prevent all sorts of diseases and health problems are… you guessed it: diet and exercise.
Exercise and Mental Clarity
The body is an amazing thing. Every part of the body affects every other part, which is why the act of healing needs to encompass the entire body. Yes, physical exercise stimulates the brain and can boost your mental clarity. Exercise increases blood flow and therefore circulates more oxygen to the brain, elevating brain serotonin and energy levels. It’s also been shown to slow the loss of brain tissue as you age. Even fifteen minutes of exercise a couple of times a week has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly.
What Are Other Benefits Of Exercise?
Exercise reduces stress and helps to relax you. A reduction in stress will help lower blood pressure. Stress also adversely affects your immune system, making stress reduction an important priority. Exercise increases your stamina as well as bone and muscle strength, flexibility and balance, which becomes more important as you age. Serotonin levels increase with exercise so risk of depression is reduced. It’s interesting to note that when people engage in regular physical activity, they tend to take better care of their bodies. Those who exercise tend to eat a more balanced diet, and have lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels than those who do not.
Possible Causes of Memory Loss
While doctors can’t say for sure what causes memory loss, they do acknowledge the following as risk factors for impaired memory:
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Poor diet
- Lack of social life
- Depression
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Sleep problems
You can see how all these factors relate to regular exercise. Exercise lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces the risk of developing diabetes, eases risk of depression, and helps you sleep better.
How Much Exercise Is Needed?
All doctors agree that any exercise is better than no exercise. If you do not exercise at all, try taking small steps. Begin by taking a ten minute walk a few times a week. As you become more used to the activity, take longer walks, or walk faster. If walking isn’t your thing, join a gym and try out some fun classes. Studies have shown that even fifteen minutes of exercise a few times a week is beneficial. Ideally you should have thirty minutes of exercise at least four or five times a week, varying between cardiovascular and strength training.
Try a natural solution to increase memory and focus.
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/memory-improvement/HA00085 http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/exercise-benefits
