How Eating Healthy and Exercising Makes Your Brain Thrive
Jul 03, 2023
It's no surprise that maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly has a tremendous effect on your physical health. Since the 1950's, marketing advertisements have sold the idea that exercising and eating well is for the benefit of losing fat and gaining energy. But how do these healthy choices affect our brain health? Let's review the importance of a healthy lifestyle on not only your problem solving skills, but also your mental health.
Exercising 🤝 Brain Health
According to the CDC, "Physical activity can help you think, learn, problem-solve, and enjoy an emotional balance. It can improve memory and reduce anxiety or depression."
Many people feel overwhelmed by the idea of working out or keeping a gym routine. It's important to remember that you can have a healthy exercising routine while just staying in your neighborhood! See below for some simple and creative tips on how to add movement to your everyday life.
Eating Well 🤝 School Performance
An independent study by Frontiers in Nutrition found some fascinating associations between eating habits and perceived school performance. Check out the infographic below:
Exercising 🤝 Mental Health
Taking care of your body is not only important for feeling physically well, it can do wonders for your mental health as well. According to the Mayo Clinic:
Regular exercise may help ease depression and anxiety by:
- Releasing feel-good endorphins, natural cannabis-like brain chemicals (endogenous cannabinoids) and other natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of well-being
- Taking your mind off worries so you can get away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression and anxiety
Regular exercise has many psychological and emotional benefits, too. It can help you:
- Gain confidence. Meeting exercise goals or challenges, even small ones, can boost your self-confidence. Getting in shape can also make you feel better about your appearance.
- Get more social interaction. Exercise and physical activity may give you the chance to meet or socialize with others. Just exchanging a friendly smile or greeting as you walk around your neighborhood can help your mood.
- Cope in a healthy way. Doing something positive to manage depression or anxiety is a healthy coping strategy.
