NOTE: This message is targeted at those who are over fifty.
Is your life filled with work and family and all the related activities related to that…mostly spending time doing things for others? What are you doing for yourself?
Research continues to show that activity (sometimes called exercise) is a valuable way to keep yourself in good health both mentally and physically. Let’s be clear here. By activity, I mean something that will raise your heart rate, your breathing gets faster and you may feel warmer or sweat a bit. Studies continue to show that activities like this slow down our brain decline – you know – the fuzziness when you can’t remember where you put something, or recall the name of someone you next yesterday.
If you are satisfied to let your mind slide into decline, then stop reading this right now!
I understand that without taking any action, you can expect your thinking capacity to decline as you age. Are you ok with that?
Recent research shows that your brain power improves when you keep active and your body keeps moving in various directions. So fitness is a total body experience – all parts of your body benefit from it, not just your bones and muscles. A study led by Joseph Northey of University of Canberra found that all forms of exercise from aerobic and circuit workouts to tai chi and yoga were found to benefit cognitive functions. Get that? That’s all activities that move your body in different ways besides sitting down – which we tend to do a lot of every day. Reported in a recent edition of the British Journal of Sports Medicine, specific cognitive abilities include the ability to process information quickly, stay alert and make goal-focused decision AND get the most benefit of short and long term memories. That sure sounds pretty good.
We’re not talking about hours per day. As little as 5-10 minutes each day can make a difference to your brain fitness.
Are you scheduling time in your day for some physical activity so you can keep your brain fit? Build it into your day, so you keep yourself healthier from head to toe, brain included.
What are you going to do differently today?
For more information about Joseph Northey’s study, click here.