Physical exercise is imperative to maintaining and improving healthy brain function. Cognitive benefits of physical exercise include improvements to your focus, concentration, processing speed and your working memory. It is amazing how a simple exercise program can dramatically improve your health, mood and quality of life. An effective exercise program includes 30-60 minutes of exercise; for example, one can fast walk at least five or six times a week.
Exercise has been shown to reduce the normal shrinkage of the brain, specifically the frontal cortex and executive functioning area. These two areas control intelligence. Additionally, exercise can also help to prevent stroke, cardiovascular, neurovascul
ar and peripheral vascular disease issues. It can reduce the risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer and even benign prostatic hypertrophy. Furthermore, exercise is associated with a reduction of Alzheimer’s. An additional benefit of regular exercise is that it helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. People who exercise regularly spend more time in slow wave sleep, which is the restorative state of sleep that you need to wake up rested and alert, so you can stay alert throughout the day.
When is the Best Time of Day to Exercise?
It is important to exercise early in the day. Try to exercise when you first get up; if you cannot, try before the evening. It is not a good idea to exercise a couple of hours before bedtime, because you will increase your metabolic rate and make it more difficult for you to fall asleep.
Another good reason for exercising early in the day is that you increase your metabolic rate early in the morning, so you are less likely to overeat throughout the day. You are going to be more efficient in the utilization of the food that you do eat and you will be less hungry when you eat. In general, you improve the quality of your life every single day.
References:
Winner, P. (2008). 7 Steps to a Healthy Brain: Think Younger, Look Younger, Feel Younger. Lulu Pub.