5 Neurological benefits of exercise

Did you know that exercise has neurological benefits? Scroll below!

The well-known benefits of exercise are reflected in your health, weight and energy levels. But what no one talks about is the impact of it on the brain. The neurological benefits of exercise are significant and clear.

Physically active people are happier in their lives. They feel more connected, less likely to be lonely and have a stronger sense of purpose.

Here are some benefits of exercise on overall brain health.

  • Reduces stress
While exercising your body will release chemicals like endorphins and dopamine in your mind that gives an instant mood booster. Furthermore, it also helps your brain get rid of chemicals that contribute towards you feeling anxious and stressed. Therefore, people who exercise frequently tend to be less stressed and happier compared to people who don’t.
  • Increase in growth factors
Exercise is responsible for stimulating the growth of new connections between cells in important areas of the brain, which stimulates the brain plasticity. Research has also shown that regular exercising can increase the growth factors in the brain, making it easier for the brain to grow new connections.
  • Improves memory
Physical activity can help in improving short-term and long-term memory. Studies have shown that people who exercised frequently had a greater retention capacity, as they were able to recall what they read effectively.
  • Expands creativity
When you are active, you are filled with energy to get through your daily tasks. This, in turn, has a positive effect on your sleep at night. Better sleep is associated with improving brain function and creativity.
  • Increases concentration
Exercise helps your focus and stay on a task longer. Research has shown that exercise helped the students improve their attention spans. Another study concluded that as a person got fitter they become better at processing complex information, ignoring distractions and multi-tasking.

As seen above, there are many neurological benefits to being active. Creating healthy exercise habits from a young age, which help maintain the routine as you grow older.

The type of exercise does not matter to reap the neurological benefits. From yoga and gym to running, you can choose whatever form of exercise you like.

But we do recommend exercising early in the morning before work or school to help prepare you for the stresses of the day, increase retention of information and better response to complex situations.