Most of us have heard about the physical, long-term health benefits of exercise, but we may be less aware of its neurological, cognitive and mental health benefits. Exercise can have a very powerful impact on learning problems, stress, anxiety, depression, attention disorders, addiction, hormonal changes, and aging.

Exercise stimulates the brain to produce brain-derived neurotropic factors or what neuroscientists call BDNF. BDNF has increasingly been referred to as “miracle gro” for the brain because of its importance for the metabolism, the way it increases antioxidant production and because it actually promotes the growth of new brain cells. It also facilitates the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter vital for learning and for the prevention of depression.

A few studies have attested that exercise is as effective or better than antidepressant medication in reducing the symptoms of major depression. Exercise has also been found to lessen the impact of ADHD on leaning performance, to prevent cognitive decline in aging, to reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and consequently to reduce anxiety.

As long as it is not too strenuous, exercise fortifies the structure of the nerve cells against damage and disease. This being said, several researchers have found that interval training in which you bring your heart rate up high for a short periods of time and then bring it down for longer periods between four and six times per week is ideal.

Check with your general practitioner before you begin a high-intensity exercise program. If there are no concerns, then gradually build up your exercise program as an investment in your health. Physical activity is a natural way to prevent the negative consequences of stress.

We wish you well in your endeavor to incorporate physical activity into your wellness plan. If you or anyone you know need help getting motivated, we would be happy to help. You can reach us at 514 223 5327.

Written by: Shawna Atkins, Ph.D., OPQ