Exercise is good for you; that is something we all know is true. From walking and jogging to pilates and aerobics, all forms of physical exercise are beneficial for your body. However, in current years, there has been much more of a focus on the benefits that exercise can have for your brain and how it functions. Research suggests that aerobic exercise can extremely beneficial for your brain function – even just a two-minute workout can have a huge impact. So how does this work?
What Is Aerobic Exercise?
Aerobic exercise is any kind of physical activity that activates to your cardiovascular system. Think swimming, running, walking, and cycling. This kind of exercise usually involves an increased heart rate and higher oxygen (hence ‘aerobic’) intake. Usually, aerobic exercises are performed over a relatively long period of time, in contrast to anaerobic exercise that involves short bursts of movement (e.g. weight lifting). The main benefit of aerobic exercise is its ability to assist in circulatory system functioning which keeps your heart and lungs healthy – and this is why it is often recommended that we should all aim to get some aerobic exercise in every day.
Benefits Of Aerobics
Aside from heart and lung function, aerobic exercise is generally very good for you! There are many benefits which can be achieved from regular aerobic activity, such as:
- Preventing heart disease
- Maintaining a healthy weight and aiding in weight loss
- Helping to control blood sugar and blood pressure levels
- Maintaining general health and wellbeing
How Does It Affect The Brain?
As mentioned above, research has also shown that aerobics can be extremely beneficial for brain function. Regular aerobic exercise has been proven to have long-lasting effects on memory and comprehension, but any amount of exercise might be more beneficial than you might think. In fact, one study in Sweden last year showed that just a few minutes of aerobic exercise (walking, running, or cycling) drastically improved the participants’ ability to concentrate, learn new things, and retain information in the hours that followed the workout. There are a few theories as to why this may happen:
- Aerobic exercise increases blood flow and bodily functions throughout the body, including the brain. It is suggested that your brain will function better with regular exercise and may physically improve its ability to do tasks.
- There is also proof to suggest that aerobic activity also assists with improving the brain’s ability to deal with stress, thereby allowing you to use your memory and learning facilities better
- Other research indicates that there may be a link between simple exercises and our learning ability. This idea suggests that you physically prepare your body to absorb information by making it a habit to work out before work.
In conclusion, while all exercise will benefit not just your physical health but also your mental state, it seems that aerobic exercise might be the way to go if you are in need of a bit more focus, memory retention, and stress reduction.
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