Exercise is the single most powerful tool you have to optimize your brain function.
That is according to John Ratey, MD, an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry.
In Ratey’s bestselling book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, he details the scientifically-proven health benefits of exercise, including:
- Improves learning ability and grows brain cells
- Reduces stress, anger, anxiety, and depression
- Increases focus, attention, and alertness
- Reduces risk of age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other forms of Dementia
- Lowers blood pressure
And that’s just to name a few.
Any exercise is better than none, but to see these results, you should aim for at least some type of moderate-intensity aerobic activity for 30 minutes at least 5 days a week. That is in line with the Public Health guidelines for physical activity. Examples of moderate-intensity aerobic activity include brisk walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming.
Adding strength or resistance training will help you build muscles, strengthen bones, and protect joints. And…
