The Many Amazing Benefits of Exercise to the Mind

When we say we want to start exercising, our goal in mind is usually to start losing weight and look fit. For some, it can also be to improve their cardiovascular health or just build muscle. But, not enough people know about the incredible benefits of exercise on our brains! Over the years, scientists have discovered the many positive effects of exercise on our mental health and here are only some of those.

Exercise gives a boost in cognitive functions

Probably one of the most well-researched benefits of exercise is how it actually boosts one’s brainpower. Some research, for example, has shown that doing moderate to high-intensity workouts can increase brain-derived protein.

This is a growth factor in the body known to enhance analytical skills, learning, and decision making. Exercise has also been shown to help improve memory and boost mental endurance. This means it takes longer for your creative brain juice to run out!

It also helps prevent decline

As it boosts our cognitive functions, exercising also helps one fight against cognitive decline. Of course, it’s only natural for our brains to get fuzzy as we age. But exercising can actually help in eliminating or at least delaying memory loss and overall degeneration of the brain.

Because the production of brain cells is affected as we age or because of diseases, we need to find ways to strengthen our brains. This is simply where exercise comes in! Physical activities won’t sound as tiring once you know how much it actually helps in keeping your brain healthy.

Exercise promotes better sleep

If you’re one of the many Singaporeans who still has trouble sleeping, exercising might just be for you. When you do physical activities, your body temperature increases. This is basically why you sweat while working out. After you’re done exercising though, your mind will have an easier time relaxing later in the day.

As a result of that increase in body temperature, it becomes easier for the body to return to your normal circadian rhythm. That means that your wakefulness and the quality of your sleep will be balanced.

Exercising is a great way to relieve stress

If you’ve never tried exercising before, you’ll never know how great of a stress-reliever it is. If you ask people why they exercise, stress-relief is one of the most common reasons you’ll hear.

Whether it’s jogging, cycling, hiking, boxing, or weightlifting, you’ll be sure to get rid of all the stress after a tiring day at work. Of course, the lower your stress levels, the better it is for the brain. Having ways to reduce stress will help improve your mood as well as your normal cognitive functions.