Age-Proofing Your Brain – Physical Exercise, 2

Any physical exercise can improve your brain’s performance and help protect against cognitive decline. Individuals who are aerobically fit may actually have an intellectual edge. Physical exercise has been shown to improve creativity, concentration, and problem-solving. It prepares your neurons to connect, while mental stimulation allows your brain to capitalize on that readiness. Many people have no idea how closely physical activity is tied to brain function. Candace B. Pert PhD pointed this out in her book Your Body is Your Subconscious Mind: “The most important function of exercise is to stimulate and cleanse the bodymind so that it is free to do its best work. You can enhance the benefits of your daily exercise by linking it to something you enjoy, such as listening to your favorite music on headphones while walking.” In her book Molecules of Emotion, Pert indicated that twenty minutes of mild aerobic exercise at the beginning of the day can turn on fat-burning neuropeptides, the effects of which can last for hours. Twenty minutes is a deal for hours of fat-burning benefits.