Get Moving

Movement | 4.11.16 | By Daya Alexander Grant, PH.D., M.S.

The overall health benefits of exercise are well understood.  But some interesting research reveals that cardiovascular exercise is not only good for the heart itself, but for the brain as well.

Here are some examples of how aerobic exercise positively affects the brain:

• On the simplest level, cardio increases your heart rate, which pumps more oxygen-rich blood to your brain.  That’s always a good thing!

• People who take breaks during the work day to go on a short, brisk walk or a jog report higher energy and productivity levels than their colleagues who sit at their desk all day

• Only 30 minutes of running, three times a week, can improve decision-making speed and memory, while also increasing attention span

Whether your cardio of choice is swimming, biking, running, hiking, jumping rope, or doing burpees (who likes burpees?), get moving this week and your brain will thank you.