Benefits of Exercise

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defined brain health by the benefits for both adults and children. For adults, guidelines focused on the areas of dementia and cognitive impairment; cognition, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and sleep. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2018 guidelines say that some of the benefts of physical activity on brain health occur immediately after exercise. We have all felt reduced anxiety, improved sleep, and the ability to think more clearly after we work out. Exercise itself can help our mood, reducing our anxiety and regulating our emotions.

Benefits of Exercise Beyond Weight loss: Brain Health Boost

1.  Cognition:
People who do greater amounts of moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity may experience improvements in cognition, including performance

on academic achievement tests, mental processing speed, memory, and executive function.  Exercise can lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These improvements from physical activity are present for people who have normal as well as impaired cognitive health, as with conditions like ADHD, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke.

2.  Quality of Life:
Physically active adults and older adults are likely to report having a better quality of life. Being physically active also improves the sense of a better quality of life among people.  The nuerotransmitters release hormones during exercise that help us feel happier with a more positive attidtude.

3.  Anxiety and Depression:
Anxiety and anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental disorders. Participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over longer periods of time will reduce the risk of developing depressing and its symtoms. Movement heals the mind and the body.  This can make life more manageable and help us to develop a better focus on the tasks at hand.

4.Sleep:
Adults who are more physically active sleep better. Exercise helps us fall asleep faster, have more sleep effciecy (higher percentage of time in bed actually sleeping), improved sleep quality, and more deep sleep.  With exercise, we experience less sleepiness during the day and do not require sleep-aid medications.  Sleep apnea and insomnia can all be improved with greater amounts of moderate to vigorous regular exercise.  

Reference:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd edition. Washington, DC: health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf#page=39