The Most Transformative Thing You Can Do Today For Your Brain

Get Smarter Immediately.

(Plus the most important piece no one talks about)

Thread.

Exercise.

But before you say “oh I already know this” and dip out, do 10 push-ups & come back to finish it

We know what it does for your body:

Gets you stronger, leaner, faster, etc.

But what about your brain? And why should you care about it?

The brain is the most complex system in the world, yet we have discovered how to leverage exercise to maximize it’s ability.

The great thing about exercise is that the effects are immediate.

Not physically, but mentally.

Wendy Suzuki, PhD, argues that it’s the most transformative thing you can do today for your brain.

This is due to the immediate impact is has on neurotransmitters; Dopamine, Serotonin, & Nor-Adrenaline.

This is why you feel great after a 30min exercise.

AKA immediate effect.

But lets get more specific.

There are 2 main regions of the brain that exercise impacts:

-Hippocampus
-Prefrontal Cortex

Let’s start with the Hippocampus.

Hippocampus:

This is the region of the brain that stores long-term memory.

Exercise has shown to increase the number of neurons (add more brain cells) in this region, therefore, improving your long-term memory.

When exercise is done repeatedly and consistently this offers a compound effect allowing you to recall memory much more efficiently.

Something we could all benefit from.

Moving onto the prefrontal cortex.

This region of the brain is responsible for decision making, attention, focus, and personality.

Again, exercise increases brain cells in this region allowing for enhancement in all of these areas.

Even further,

acute affects show that focus is enhanced for 2+ hours following exercise.

Therefore, you have the short-term effect of exercise on the prefrontal cortex combined with the long-term memory effect of the hippocampus.

But that isn’t all.

Arguably the most beneficial effect of exercising on these regions of the brain is it’s protective mechanism.

This is critical since both of these regions are MOST susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases like:
-Alzheimer’s
-Dementia
-Parkinson’s
-Etc.

All of which are trending in the wrong direction.

How does it protect against this?

The addition of brain cells means enhanced volume.

More volume means more strength.

More strength means more protective against the aforementioned diseases.

The good news is that it doesn’t take much.

But to maximize the benefits it does take consistency.

You don’t need to train for a marathon to receive these benefits.

Research shows that all it takes is 3+ exercises a week of a minimum of 30 minutes.

And, if you’re like me, at least one of the diseases above is prevalent in your family.

If that’s the case, you should care even more about grabbing the reigns now before it’s too late.

Or maybe you have the goal to become a high-performer in your field, exercise can help.

Cultivate positive habits that allow you to perform at your best when your best is needed.

If you could benefit from more consistency, check how the Self-Mastery Bundle (link below).

It'll get you there. https://amzn.to/3lqt4PN 

As always, RT's are much appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

Here is Dr. Wendy Suzuki's TED Talk for more information: