Introduction

Everyone knows that being active is an important part of being physically healthy. Getting up and moving gets the blood pumping, the heart working, and keeps our muscles strong. But did you know that being physically active can have as big of an impact on your brain as it does on your body?

How Physical Activity Impacts the Brain

In Utero Effects of Exercise

The positive effects of exercise on the brain starts in the womb and goes all the way through old age. That's right- the womb! Studies have shown that babies of mothers that were physically active during pregnancy have better developed motor skills and are more coordinated. While more research is needed to demonstrate how this is happening, it is suggested that more blood, nutrients, and oxygen could be received through the placenta during the mother's exercise. The benefits start before birth and continue on from there.

Childhood Benefits of Exercise

Children need exercise for the development of a healthy body composition, bone density, and social skills. Physical activity in children is important for self confidence, bolstered immune systems, and cardiovascular health. But one of the most important benefits of exercise in kids is the effect on the brain. Exercise in children can improve memory and processing speeds, cognition, and executive functioning. This is why exercise during the school day is so important, as it supports the learning and retention process.

Benefits of Exercise in Aging Adults

The mental benefits carry from childhood into teen and adult age as well. Physical activity is shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety in adulthood. Exercise can improve mental clarity and focus. Recently, studies have shown physical activity to help prevent age related cognitive deterioration as well as neurodegenerative diseases. This gives us the knowledge that regular physical activity can protect against the impact of aging on both the body and the mind.

While the benefits that exercise provides to the body are well known, it is important to be aware of the neurological benefits as well. The amount you move your body is a key lifestyle factor in obtaining optimal physical and mental health throughout the lifespan.

Why Walking is the Perfect Exercise

Walking is highly underrated. It does not require an expensive gym membership, any equipment, or a high skill level. All you need is a pair of tennis shoes and the motivation to walk out the door! Take a look at the list of walking benefits below, and it might be the boost you need to walk your way to healthier you.

1. Boosts Energy: walking increases oxygen levels throughout the body waking up the system
2. Mental Clarity: walking can provide a boost in creativity and processing
3. Immune Boost: regular walking can decrease risk of cold and flu
4. Weight Management: Walking burns calories and boosts the metabolism
5. Joint protection: Walking lubricates the joints
6. Heart Health: walking 30 minutes per day 5x per week reduces risk of heart disease by 19%
7. Mood Boost: walking can improve self esteem and fend off depression and anxiety

So next time you're feeling stressed, heavey, sad, or in a slump- lace up your shoes and hit the pavement. It's easy, affordable, and effective!

Yes to Yoga!

The ancient practice of Yoga uses both the mind and body, merging the two together. Scientists have studied the practice for decades and have found the benefits to be astounding. Check them out below and then try a pose out for yourself...yoga is accessible to everyone no matter your size, fitness level, disability, or flexibility!

Benefits of Yoga

1. Improves flexibility
2. Reduces inflammation in the body
3. Decrease in chronic pain, especially back pain
4. Reduces symptoms of anxiety
5. Increases sleep quality
6. Reduces symptoms of arthritis
7. Increases energy
8. Increases strength
9. Improves breathing
10. Helps manage stress
11. Improves balance
12. Improves quality of life

This spectacular list of benefits come from several facets of yoga practice: including; breathing techniques, pose holds, meditation, inversions, movement flow, and more. The regular practice of yoga can lead to regulated stress hormones, reduced inflammatory markers, melatonin production, vagus nerve stimulation, and more- providing benefits you have to feel to believe- so get started now!

There are so many ways to incorporate yoga into your life. Check out a few ways below!

How to Add Yoga Into Your Routine

1. Do a google search for classes in your local community! (A great way to test out a studio is to find a month deal on Groupon!)
2. Get a book of poses from a bookstore or library
3. Follow free yoga videos from youtube on your phone, smartTV, or iPad (We have listed some of our favorite instructors below)

Free Online Yoga Resources

1. https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
2. https://www.youtube.com/c/sarahbethyoga
3. https://www.youtube.com/c/YogaWithBird

What will you need to practice? The great thing about yoga is that there are many classes that have no requirement of props, and you can do most poses on a carpeted floor. But just in case you want to have everything at the read we have got you covered.

1. Yoga Mat can be replaced with a beach towel or simply no mat at all
2. Yoga blocks can be substituted with a thick book (dictionary or encyclopedia) wrapped in a small cloth
3. Yoga strap can be replaced with a tie or rolled up dish towel
4. Yoga bolster can be replaced with one or two thick dense pillows