brain cross-training

April 27, 2008

Don't Forget: Your Brain Needs both Mental and Physical Exercise! (a Reminder for people with an over-busy schedule)

Before you look at your watch and say to yourself, "I'm just too busy.  I’ve barely got a half-hour to spare.  Something on my schedule's gotta give." ...

Before you think, "I'll do my brain a favor.  I'll squeeze in thirty minutes to tackle the crossword puzzle, or Suduko, or finish my book, or work on my French, or my taxes, or my email, or clear off my desk… and blow off my exercise," think again. 

With the dynamic-duo of both mental and physical exercise, you get a more powerful brain advantage.

Your brain needs both mental and physical stimulation. 

Ask yourself, “Which type of exercise have I done for my brain lately?  How well do I balance my brain power activities?  Am I doing enough cross-training for my brain?”

Just as mental challenges stimulate your brain power - (you don’t have to take up rocket science, almost any activity will do provided it snares your interest and stimulates your brain to learn new challenges) - so does physical exercise stimulate new brain cell growth.

Exercise Grows New Brain Cells.

Physical exercise is a critical component of good health.  Among its many benefits, exercise grows new brain cells.  Studies show about one-half hour of exercise about three or four times a week stimulates neurogenesis, the growth of neurons, because it increases activity in the part of the brain which is important to learning and memory. 

Your brain benefits when you think “How can I best balance my mental and physical exercise?” 

Now, wouldn’t you say that’s an extraordinary reason to work out both mentally and physically? – and who wouldn’t want to increase their brain power possibility? 

Just imagine:  the dynamic duo of mental and physical exercise helps you look better – feel better – and remember better. 

Have you figurered out how to balance your mental-vs-physical time?  Let me hear from you.  Blog on to share your success stories and your time-management dilemnas. 

Don’t forget!

(Copyright - Judy Marcus - 2008) ************************************************************************

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Reprinted from the "Judy Marcus - Memory Lady - Memory Improvement Tips Blog", www.memory-improvement-tipster.com featuring tips and strategies to take control of your memory and keep your brain strong.