Why exercise is so important for our Mental Health and Wellbeing

What's the most transformative thing that you can do for your brain today? Exercise! 
- says neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki. 
Get inspired to go to the gym as Suzuki discusses the science of how working out boosts your mood and memory -- and protects your brain against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Not many people understand what an immediate positive effect exercising has on our brains and most importantly on our mood and ability to focus.
Not only that but in the long run, it can actually protect us from depression, memory loss, and various diseases.

And as Wendy Suzuki's s personal experience in the gym I know a lot of people feel the same way including me. 

From my first class at the gym, I felt how my mood improved, and with each visit I was feeling better and better, this is whats essentially keeps you going back as well. It is like a happy drug that makes your entire being happier.

And that is not all, You also notice that you are gradually getting stronger and more focused in your daily activities. Your body changes that are for sure but not many people realize that along with that your brain changes as well.

One of the things I noticed only after a month regularly going to the gym was that I was able not only to focus but to maintain my attention for longer then I was able to before and my long term memory improved significantly. 
It sure feels good. Just like Suzuki states in her research: " Exercise has such positive effects on our brains: better mood, better energy, better memory, better attention"

"Exercise is the most transformative thing you can do for your health that has an immediate positive effect on your brain. Just from a single workout, you will immediately increase levels of neurotransmitters, like dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline. Which is the reason for your better mood after your workout and your ability to shift attention and focus quicker that will last for at least two hours. " says Suzuki.

And by changing the exercise regime by increasing the cardiorespiratory function, we get the long-lasting effects, made possible by the fact that physical activity changes the brain's anatomy, physiology, and function.

What Wendy also says is that the longer and regularly you exercise the bigger and stronger your hippocampus and prefrontal cortex gets. These are basically producing new brain cells that expand and are accountable for your good mood, better focus, and attention for longer. And the biggest benefit of these two areas being stronger is that they are most susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases and normal cognitive decline in aging.
Regular exercise is not going to cure any possible diseases but it is most certainly going to protect your brain and body from them by decreasing significantly your chances of having one. " It will take a longer time for any of this disease to actually have an effect," says Suzuki.

Suzuki also suggests what most people already know: Hit the gym at least 3,4 times a weak for a minimum amount of 30 minutes per session. Mix it up with some aerobic or cardio that will get your heart rate up too.






You can watch her TED talk via the link  Here



It is great that more people are realizing the importance of physical activity. And that it is not only how good your body looks but how good you feel and how healthy you are because of it. 

Do not delay it and if you are finding hard to go just think of the million ways you get to play with your outfit. Whatever floats your boat, as long as you are there working those muscles.

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