Brain benefits of exercise

Medical practitioner and performance expert DR JENNY BROCKIS reveals how being active supports your mind

- Amy Hadley

If you’ve ever left your car sitting in the garage for too long without driving it, you’ll know the risk is the battery will have gone flat or the engine will have developed some problems. Think of your body, in particular your brain, in the same way – you need to keep yourself moving in order to maintain good health.

MENTAL WELLBEING

You may have noticed how when you’ve got a lot on your mind, going for a walk or a jog helps to clarify your thoughts. You come back feeling energised and in a better mood because of a boost in blood flow and release of neurochemicals, so exercising earlier in the day is ideal.

Research has shown that regular exercisers enjoy better mental wellbeing, with an average of 18 fewer days of “feeling bad” compared to the less physically active.

A number of studies have confirmed that supervised aerobic exercise has an antidepressant effect through boosting the release of the powerful mood-enhancing hormones dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. No wonder a little bit of exercise makes us feel good!

MEMORY & THINKING