The Brain-Boosting Benefits of Exercise

By Khemi Adé

The Cleveland Clinic has found that moving the body improves blood flow to the brain, reduces inflammation, promotes heart health, and lowers stress hormones. But what else can the brain do as a result of exercise?

Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki said that when exercising, the hippocampus—which governs memory—and the prefrontal cortex—which governs decisionmaking and focus—get bigger and stronger. The brain protects the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and the two temporal lobes. They “are the two
areas that are most susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. It’s about making it take longer “for these diseases to actually have an effect”, said Suzuki. Suzuki even stated that there are three shortterm and three long-term benefits on the brain when it comes to exercising.

Short-Term Benefits

Suzuki listed three short- term benefits pertaining to exercise. Firstly, it “has immediate effects on your brain.” One workout session will result in a
mood boost because the brain releases feel-good hormones such as “dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline.” Secondly, that same session, Suzuki shared, will also improve focus retention and the ability to shift focus that “will last for at least two hours.” Lastly, Suzuki said, it “will improve your reaction times.”

Long-Term Benefits

Long-term exercise “actually changes the brain’s anatomy” which means it literally changes the brain. First, Suzuki stated that the brain “produces brand new brain cells in the hippocampus.” Secondly, the prefrontal cortex and focus improve. Lastly, there’s an increase in mood over a longer period of time due to the “good mood neurotransmitters.”

Adapting an active lifestyle will improve overall health and provide a sense of “emotional balance” according to the CDC. The CDC also highly recommends that “adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity weekly or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity.” Little ways to increase physical activity in day-to-day life can look like taking multiple walking breaks or jogging in place while watching TV.

Exercise and overall physical activity play a huge role in brain health and mental health. It can improve mood, memory, focus retention, brain blood flow, and reaction timing.

Learn more: Physical Activity Boosts Brain Health | DNPAO | CDC.

Khemi Adé is a well-rounded, multi-hyphenated artist, writer, and journalist who’s also the author of “My Life is a Fairytale – A Journal Guide for the Magical Glories.”

Editing assistance provided by ChatGPT.