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Exercise makes us feel better
Why?
Because it helps our brains function at their best
John J. Ratey, MD, says the mental benefits of exercise are more important than the physical. He dives into these powerful benefits in his book Spark
This THREAD summarizes his findings
Why?
Because it helps our brains function at their best
John J. Ratey, MD, says the mental benefits of exercise are more important than the physical. He dives into these powerful benefits in his book Spark
This THREAD summarizes his findings
Humans are born movers
Our ancestors were hunters and gatherers
Today, however, we no longer hunt or gather
This has led to a significant decrease in physical activity for our bodies
And our BRAINS are paying the price
Our ancestors were hunters and gatherers
Today, however, we no longer hunt or gather
This has led to a significant decrease in physical activity for our bodies
And our BRAINS are paying the price
So what does exercise do thatâs so good for our minds?
In summary, it optimizes our bodyâs energy usage
Increases in heart rate lead to increases in production of receptors for insulin, which leads to stronger cells
This establishes a more efficient brain processing system
In summary, it optimizes our bodyâs energy usage
Increases in heart rate lead to increases in production of receptors for insulin, which leads to stronger cells
This establishes a more efficient brain processing system
Many of todayâs biggest psychological issues can be reduced or eliminated with exercise
While many people turn to prescription drugs (which are still needed at times), itâs often more effective to go the natural healing route - exercise
Consider the following:
While many people turn to prescription drugs (which are still needed at times), itâs often more effective to go the natural healing route - exercise
Consider the following:
STRESS
Exercise reduces stress
Many things throughout your day can cause stress
Physical movement relaxes the resting tension of muscle spindles, which breaks the stress-feedback loop to the brain
This tells the brain that the body isnât stressed, so the brain can relax too
Exercise reduces stress
Many things throughout your day can cause stress
Physical movement relaxes the resting tension of muscle spindles, which breaks the stress-feedback loop to the brain
This tells the brain that the body isnât stressed, so the brain can relax too
ANXIETY
Anxiety can also be reduced with exercise
This happens by:
- Providing a distraction
- Reducing muscle tension
- Building brain resources
- Rerouting your brain circuits
- Improving resilience
The confidence boost that comes from exercising also helps here
Anxiety can also be reduced with exercise
This happens by:
- Providing a distraction
- Reducing muscle tension
- Building brain resources
- Rerouting your brain circuits
- Improving resilience
The confidence boost that comes from exercising also helps here
DEPRESSION
Anti-depressant medications increase dopamine and serotonin in your brain
So does exercise
Anti-depressant medications increase dopamine and serotonin in your brain
So does exercise
Depression often involves falling into a routine of less and less movement
This causes the brain to become less active on a balanced scale
Exercise provides a âsparkâ to wake it back up and start performing more optimally
This causes the brain to become less active on a balanced scale
Exercise provides a âsparkâ to wake it back up and start performing more optimally
ADDICTION
Exercise forces addicts to adapt to a new stimulus, learning to appreciate alternative and healthy habits
In fact, exercise acts like certain drugs in the brain, and can become nearly âaddictiveâ in its own way (e.g. runnersâ high)
Exercise forces addicts to adapt to a new stimulus, learning to appreciate alternative and healthy habits
In fact, exercise acts like certain drugs in the brain, and can become nearly âaddictiveâ in its own way (e.g. runnersâ high)
Re-wiring the brain is perhaps the main benefit of exercise, as it establishes a new and improved system that can:
- Curb addictions
- Reduce stress
- Decrease anxiety
- Fight depression
- Curb addictions
- Reduce stress
- Decrease anxiety
- Fight depression
FOCUS
The areas of the brain that control physical movement also coordinate the flow of information
If you have trouble focusing, exercise may help improve the functions in your brain that help you pay attention
The calming effects of exercise will also help with this
The areas of the brain that control physical movement also coordinate the flow of information
If you have trouble focusing, exercise may help improve the functions in your brain that help you pay attention
The calming effects of exercise will also help with this
HORMONES
Women who suffer from PMS may see a dramatic reduction in symptoms if they take up more physical activity
This is because of the serotonin increases it provides, while also balancing dopamine and other chemicals in the body
Women who suffer from PMS may see a dramatic reduction in symptoms if they take up more physical activity
This is because of the serotonin increases it provides, while also balancing dopamine and other chemicals in the body
AGING
Getting older is inevitable, but falling apart is not
Cognitive decline happens when connections in the brain break down
This happens as cells begin to deteriorate over time
Exercise reverses cell deterioration, keeping the brain from rotting
Getting older is inevitable, but falling apart is not
Cognitive decline happens when connections in the brain break down
This happens as cells begin to deteriorate over time
Exercise reverses cell deterioration, keeping the brain from rotting
Hereâs how exercise keeps you going:
1. It strengthens your cardiovascular system
2. It regulates fuel (insulin)
3. It reduces obesity
4. It elevates your stress threshold
1. It strengthens your cardiovascular system
2. It regulates fuel (insulin)
3. It reduces obesity
4. It elevates your stress threshold
5. It lifts your mood
6. It boosts your immune system
7. It fortifies your bones
8. It boosts motivation
9. It fosters neuroplasticity, guarding against disease by building a stronger brain
6. It boosts your immune system
7. It fortifies your bones
8. It boosts motivation
9. It fosters neuroplasticity, guarding against disease by building a stronger brain
So how much exercise should you be getting to reap the mental rewards?
It depends
Your priorities should be:
1. Get fit
2. Challenge yourself
It depends
Your priorities should be:
1. Get fit
2. Challenge yourself
Getting fit will vary person to person
A caloric deficit will help you lose weight
A strength training regimen will help you gain muscle
The goal should be to find an activity that not only challenges you, but that you enjoy and will stick with for many years
A caloric deficit will help you lose weight
A strength training regimen will help you gain muscle
The goal should be to find an activity that not only challenges you, but that you enjoy and will stick with for many years
Exercise is as important for the brain as it is for the heart
Incorporate it into your life routine, and youâll maximize your ability to live a long and fulfilling life
If you learned something or enjoyed this thread, please RT and share with others
Now get moving
Incorporate it into your life routine, and youâll maximize your ability to live a long and fulfilling life
If you learned something or enjoyed this thread, please RT and share with others
Now get moving
