Several studies have shown the benefits of medium-intensity exercise as one of the most effective ways to improve and maintain memory and thinking for decades to come. Naturally, there are differing views as to what sort of exercises would do the trick, but experts claim that running, walking, or basically any kind of cardio exercise that gets the heart pumping, would be ideal.
However, there are alternative ways to do our exercises beside running or performing tiring cardio sessions. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in January 2014, conducted a research that investigated the cognitive benefits of an exercise called Tai-Chi.
The results of this experiment showed an increase of executive functions of the brain in older adults that had indirect positive effects on a number of cognitive processes, such as planning, problem-solving, verbal reasoning and even long-and short-term memory capabilities.
Benefits of regular moderate-intensity exercises: There are two main areas where exercises may be of assistance in maintaining your mental and physical health: these are physiological and psychological changes.
When it comes to physiological changes, most people would be quite familiar with them already. No wonder, for this is the area that gets the most heated attention when it comes to exercising. Physiological factors of exercising reduce insulin resistance and inflammation by also stimulating the production of certain growth factors that directly affect the health, survival and birth of brain cells and blood vessels.
The positive psychological changes that exercise may bring about are most visible in reducing anxiety, stress as well as improving mood and the quality of sleep. The problems in themselves are liable to hinder our cognitive capabilities on their own, so exercise may pose a fun and alternative way to battle them collectively.
Is it only about exercise? To tell you the truth, it is not. We cannot just stay mentally capable all the time with exercise only. Several studies have shown that the most effective way of ensuring both mental and physical health is by combining the benefits of both.
Solve crossword puzzles, read books and solve mathematical equations if you have the expertise to do so once in a while.
Doing these and many other cognitive processes frequently will ensure that your time devoted to exercising actually pays off.
Medical experts recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of medium-intensity exercise every week. They also claim that by doing this continuously for a period of 6 months, you will be able to reap the mental and physical benefits of it even decades later.
Does it sound wonderful? Then let's start taking care of your body today.
