13/10/2025
So, exercise is all about weight loss, your heart and your muscles?
Wrong!
It's good for your brain too.
I've been reading a book by Nicole Vignola, who studied Neuroscience at Bristol University. We think exercise is all about cardio-vascular health, strong muscles; shedding a few pounds but there are other great reasons to exercise.
1. The increased blood flow around the whole body helps oxygenate and nourish the brain and is neurons;
2. Exercise helps release feel-good hormones such as dopamine and serotonin - helping reduce depression;
3. It stimulates the body's own pain killers (endorphins are released);
4. It helps us deal better with stressful situations;
5. It helps reduced inflammation in the body;
6. It enhances co-ordination, balance and agility to stave off physical effects of neurodegenerative diseases (stiffness, shakes etc);
7. It boosts grey-matter volume in the brain and helps with memory;
8. Mitochondria (the power houses in all cells) increase in numbers helping with energy, mood and neurotransmitter regulation;
9. It distracts us from stress as we have to concentrate and focus - 'reboots' our thoughts.
So, get up, shame it out and get moving to help your brain - you'll feel so much better for it.