Good For Your Body AND Mind – How Does Exercise Help Your Brain?

I’ve been a longtime fan of working out as a means to blow off steam, clear my head, and obviously stay in shape, but something I’ve recently become more aware of is how exercise helps your brain. I knew exercise was good for fending off anxiety and stress – and have felt those payoffs, but I hadn’t considered it actually improving my brain. Which I’m obviously all for!  

After hearing a gym instructor hint at the fact, I started researching “does exercise help your brain” and was left with pretty much endless articles on the subject. Apparently the habit of fitness was doing a lot more for my mind than I knew, and definitely more than keeping my abs tight.

Since I’m all about finding and sharing motivation surrounding fitness – pretty sure we can all agree that it’s not always the easiest thing to commit to – I wanted to share some of the research I found.

How does exercise help your brain?

+ It’s a mood booster. Probably one of the biggest payoffs of exercise, in my opinion, especially when I find myself in a funk. Every time you get that heart rate pumping, your brain increases production of serotonin. Serotonin can act as a natural antidepressant, which means all those fitness classes are paying off in more ways than getting you toned. Remember Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde? “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t kill their husbands. They just don’t.”

+ Disease prevention. There’s research out there that says those who exercise regularly may be at a lesser risk for brain-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, or at least delay its effects. Another way to keep your brain active and making new connections to improve its overall health is mental exercise – which is an additional reason why I like to switch up my routine. It challenges my body and mind at the same time.

+ Sharper memory. Exercise is excellent to help prevent Alzheimer’s, but it can also keep your memory sharp in the meantime. Good news for those of us that don’t enjoy doing Sudoku or crossword puzzles! The way science says this works goes like this – when you exercise, blood flow to the brain increases, and that blood delivers oxygen and nutrients. The extra boost of oxygen and nutrients increases cognitive function and memory gets that much better. As someone who doesn’t always have the best memory, this is an extremely appealing motivator.

+ Clearer mind. This I already knew, but it’s such an important fact that it’s worth mentioning. Along with that boost in cognitive function from the increased blood flow giving your brain all those amazing nutrients is a clear mind. You know when you just feel foggy and maybe can’t focus? Chances are if you start a consistent exercise routine that fogginess will clear up pretty quick.

+ Acts as de-stresser. Exercise = less cortisol, which is the hormone that causes stress. When you exercise, cortisol levels decrease. This helps you relax and think more clearly. I’ve definitely noticed this with my own exercise practice – especially yoga.

As if you needed more reasons to get moving ; ). Hope this helps shed light on another positive attribute that comes with working out! I know I’ll be keeping these benefits in mind the next time I need motivation to hit the gym. 

xx, Amy

sports bra: forever 21 | leggings: forever 21 | jacket: forever 21

shoes: apl | backpack: sticks + stones | sunnies: westward leaning