Ever heard the phrase, “use it or lose it?” This is especially true of our brains. The experts recommend all kinds of things to help our brains stay “sharp.” We do crossword puzzles and Sudoku challenges, read for fun and stay active in the lives of our friends, family and co-workers. But have you ever heard someone claim that exercise was the pathway to better focus, decision-making and mental clarity? According to a study done at the University of Illinois, a few miles on the treadmill can do just that.
In the study, two groups took a computer test—one group took the test after 30 minutes on a treadmill, the other had no exercise pre-test. So what happened? The study participants who exercised prior to the test performed significantly better on the test than the second non-exercising group. Exercise altered the brain waves of the first group that they were able to make better mental decisions than the members of the group who didn’t exercise.
Many of us spend our days in a fog. Our to-do lists get longer and cloud our brain, multi-tasking has reached epic proportions and we hear ourselves saying things like, “I’m so stressed,” “I’m overwhelmed,” or “I can’t remember my own name.” But think about it—what happens to that fog on your run/swim/bike/power walk? You become amazingly aware of the work your muscles perform, the sound of your breath and the rhythm of your feet. The same mental clarity that helps you find the perfect line on a sport climb, keep your focus on a rocky trail run or execute tight flip turns in the pool can also help you speed up your problem-solving, enhance your ability to make a good decision and even enhance the mental connections in your brain. Think how much better life would be if we could duplicate that “clear head” feeling so many of us get while we exercise!
Real science continues to support the relationship between exercise and positive affects on the brain. John Ratey, author/psychiatrist of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, reports undeniable evidence that increased mental capacity and increased cognitive functions come with regular exercise. Ratey also names exercise as a stronghold against the woes of dementia.
Remember, exercise alone won’t keep your brain healthy and functioning optimally. Healthy nutrition is also irreplaceable when it comes to your brain. To function at full capacity, eat right and exercise.