Your Brain on… Exercise!

June is Brain Health Month, so we thought we’d focus on one simple way to improve our gray matter – through exercise. 

How does exercise help?

The brain is a collection of neurons that work by sending chemical messages to each other. The movement of the chemical messages between neurons is what dictates memory formation, learning new skills, physical movement, and body function. As we age, these neurons naturally degrade and die. Fortunately, new neurons can be generated through a process called neurogenesis, which occurs from eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, and continued learning of new skills. At Colebrook Village, our Wellness-4 Later Life™ program helps residents create lots of opportunities for neurogenesis.

Exercise plays a key role by initiating processes that will lead to new neuron development. During exercise there is an increase in the secretion of different hormones throughout the body. The increase in these hormones help in the development of muscle strength as well as the generation of new neurons. Along with the increase in hormones, exercise also elicits the generation of proteins by the grouping of amino acids. The increase in protein production also aids in the development of new neurons. Exercise also improves vascular, or blood vessel, health throughout the body, including the brain. Exercise can induce the production of new vascular networks allowing for increased blood flow. An increase in blood flow to an area, i.e. the brain, allows for an increase in oxygen delivery as well as nutrient distribution. An increase in oxygen and nutrient delivery can also stimulate new neuron development.

Exercise initiates many pathways that lead to the production and maintenance of neurons. Maintaining a regular exercise program will help maintain neuronal health as well as help generate new neurons. An exercise program should include 3-5 days of 30 min of aerobic activity (i.e. walking, cycling, swimming, aerobic classes etc..), 2-3 days of resistance training (weightlifting, resistance bands, body weight exercises etc…), and daily stretching.

Ask us about our FREE "At-Home Exercise Program" sheet to help develop your own brain-healthy wellness plan.