Exercise, so much better than you thought

Exercise is important for physical health.  We all know that.  But in the last decade research has uncovered a wealth of new data showing that exercise essentially effects all aspects of life for the good.  We were made to move, not lay around.  Below are four interesting benefits of exercise that your mom may not have told you: 

Exercise increases productivity 

Rather than depleting your motivation, as one might think, exercise ultimately boosts your energy level.  A recent study published in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that workers who exercised at least 2 & ½ hours per week out performed all other employees, even when they worked less hours on the job.  In other words, if you feel you are behind schedule – stop what you’re doing and exercise.  This study found that exercise boosts productivity in real time and decreases time needed off work due to illness.  Stop running behind by actually going for a run.

Got a worried mind?

Did you know that exercise is the best and safest way to balance your brain chemicals?  The research is startling – exercise helps tremendously with many social and mental problems in contemporary society – including depression, addiction, aggression, Alzheimer’s, dementia, ADD, insecurity, learning challenges, anxiety and stress.  The list goes on.  Regular activity is so successful that many psychologists are now prescribing exercise as part of their treatment therapy.  The bottom line is that we all need to exercise, not just for our bodies, but for our minds.  Talk to your spouse, your friend or family member, and schedule regular exercise together.  You’ll soon find yourself looking forward to the daily peace of mind and joy this time brings.

Forever young

Scientist now know what makes us die.  The culprit is a tiny strand on your chromosome called a telomere.  Your telomeres shorten just a little bit every time your cells divide.  Once your telomeres are gone, your cells die and, so do you unfortunately.  Think of a telomere a little bit like a candle, when there’s nothing left to burn, the light goes out.  Your telomere length is determined by two things:  your genes and your activity level.  The best way to increase your telomere length and, hence your life, is to exercise.  It is believed that regular exercise can add as much as a decade to your life.  You want to live longer?  Push your body to your limit.

Bigger brains

Exercise does two important things to the brain that will make you more creative:  1^st – Exercise gets rid of brain waste and brain fog.  Over time, toxins and harmful chemicals build up in our brain’s highways just like they do in the rest of the body.  Exercise cleans up these toxins and clears the traffic jams from these mental highways.  2^nd, exercise actually builds more avenues in the brain.  The protein called BDNF, which stimulates brain growth, is secreted when you exercise.  This protein builds pathways – think of them as new streets and roads between separate places and ideas, thus increasing creativity and your ability to multitask.  You want to be the one with the brilliant but unexpected solution in your next meeting?  Hit the gym.

Dr. Sam Yoder, D.C.

Chiropractor in Campbellsville, KY