Not a single person questions the importance of exercise for physical health. But some people might be surprised that studies demonstrate growth in brain structure as people get more fit. These results hold true for children, adults, and the elderly.
Using exercise to wake up your brain takes different forms depending on your phase of life.
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Your Brain Needs Exercise!
For children, exercise comes in the form of play. Left to their own devices (note: NOT their own electronic devices), children move. A lot. Their bodies’ innate need to move develops not only their physical attributes but critical neural pathways as well.
While there is a portion of the fitness market emerging who wants to capitalize on younger and younger sport-specific training or adult-style workouts for kids, the importance of exercise as play for children age 12 and younger should be emphasized. Parents are well-meaning when they send their kids to fitness classes.
The problem is that constant adult-direction robs children of developmental opportunities. Play requires creativity, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Children need to practice these skills on their own.
If your children struggle with self-directed play, encourage them to create obstacle courses. Not only will they enjoy making up the obstacle course, but then they get to run through it, too. (And if you run through it at their direction, it’s great for both of you!)
Encouraging children to design their own physical activities builds the mind-body connection.
Even as an Adult, Your Brain Needs Exercise
Many adults in our mostly sedentary society think of exercise as a chore. Whereas our ancestors incorporated both strength and cardio exercise into all aspects of their day, automation has rendered daily functional fitness obsolete.
Nowadays we see gyms where people are swinging hammers, chopping wood, or dragging heavy objects to mimic practices our ancestors used to do. But is that functional in today’s society? If that type of exercise is fulfilling or applicable to your daily routine, go for it. If not, know that there are a lot of other options.
Finding a form of exercise that keeps you motivated and craving movement is the right type for you. Just because your best friend runs marathons doesn’t mean you should. You can’t build muscles, bone density, or brain strength if you only mean to exercise but never get around to it.
The importance of exercise for adults, like with children, is not just to maintain good physical health. Studies show that exercise in middle age delays the onset of memory issues later in life. Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki has devoted her TED Talk to the idea that exercise is the number one thing you can do for your brain health.
Achieving these brain health benefits isn’t difficult— only 30-45 minutes of moderate cardio activity (think brisk walking or leisurely bike riding) delivers.
Workout at home to improve your brain health!
At-home circuit training is a great way to get some quick brain-boosting exercise. Try one of these at-home circuit workouts to get some exercise for your body and your brain.
- An Awesome Small Space Workout
- Upper Body Workout– One of the best ways to workout at home
- Bodyweight Circuit
- No Time to Workout? No Problem! – A Cardio Circuit
Older Folks– Your Brain Needs Exercise, Too!
For the elderly, the importance of exercise translates into maintaining muscle mass and continuing to challenge the brain-body connection.
Initiating moderate walking as an exercise practice, even for those who have never exercised regularly, still delivers benefits. If you’re looking for a way to stave off both physical and mental decline, walking answers the call.
Cognitive brain function responds positively to exercises challenging balance and agility as well. Standing on one foot, hopping, and recreating movement patterns with closed eyes fulfill this challenge.
Psychologist Carol Dwek’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success examines the idea of fixed mindset vs growth mindset. While her studies are around how and why people achieve new cognitive milestones and success, it seems the basic idea can be applied to the effect of exercise on the brain as well. New neuroscience studies reveal that exercise may actually stimulate the generation of new neurons—a literal growth mindset.
If exercise is responsible for not only the lack of degeneration of the brain as people age but the growth of new neurons, the importance of exercise throughout various life stages is even more important than once thought. Your brain needs exercise — make sure you’re fitting it in!
