Use It or Lose It

Everyone goes to the gym for different reasons. Some want to lose weight, others train for an athletic event, or some go just to make sure they get their use out of a gym membership. And then there are those who go to build strength or to participate in cardiovascular exercises for a healthier heart. All of these are valid reasons to visit the gym, but what you may not know is that aerobic exercise is good for your brain!

“Aerobic exercise has been shown, in numerous studies, to provide brain benefits ranging from enhanced cognitive flexibility to better memory to new cell growth. In addition, because working out floods your body and brain with the hormones that affect mood, it can have a significant effect on your mental health,” explains Danielle Restucci in her article “How Aerobic Exercise Helps Your Brain.”

It is sometimes difficult to fit a gym workout into an already full schedule of work and commitments. It is easy to procrastinate going to the gym and use the time for other activities or obligations. But most gym goers will say emphatically, “I feel so much better after my workout.” During exercise, the body releases the hormones endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, which can decrease stress and temporarily enhance your mood.

Some people might perceive a workout as endless boring moments on a treadmill or doing painful pushups and countless crunches. But a good gym should provide many options which can be tailored both to what your body is capable of as well as an activity you might actually enjoy. Aerobic exercise includes walking, running, swimming, biking, yoga, dancing and rowing. The gym accommodates all ages, and going to the gym on a regular basis can combat brain shrinkage and increase cognitive capabilities.

During exercise, the blood flow to your brain is increased, bringing oxygen and important nutrients to your brain resulting in better memory. Exercise is good for building muscles, but it also benefits the brain by slowing or even reversing the physical decay of the brain. Vigorous exercise is especially valuable for those with health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and even cancer. As with any type of exercise, injuries can occur resulting in structural problems such as nerve interference and spinal misalignments that may interfere with benefits of exercise. Therefore, regular chiropractic care can detect and correct a problem in order for you to restore and maintain your nerve system so that your workouts in the gym give you the optimum benefits to both your body and brain.

The familiar expression and reminder of “use it or lose it” supports the knowledge that the brain, like all muscles and organs, declines with underuse and age. Therefore, when you exercise you should be encouraged that you will not only look better, but you will be boosting your brain by growing new neural connections. See you at the gym.

#health