Neuroplasticity Through Exercise

In the book, Spark by John J. Ratey, we discover the keys to unlocking your brain's potential. He collects research from all over the world and everything scientists, doctors, and experts in neuroscience all agree on one thing. Movement enhances our brain function. There are several chemicals that are produced when we add a steady diet of movement into our lives. Serotonin (helps regulate emotional resilience, sleep, digestion, mood, and desires), norepinephrine (alertness, blood pressure regulation, focus, memory, and sleep), and dopamine (natural happiness chemical, motivation, mood stabilizer, attention) are all chemicals released when we use our body for what it was intended to do. Which is to say, not sitting on your tailbone all day. The chemical release that we are looking for the most however, is called BDNF (brain-derived neurotropic factor), AKA - Miracle Grow for the brain. Learning boils down to strengthening the connection between our brain cells, the stronger the connection, the quicker we can react, recall information, and make intelligent snap decisions. When we "move" our body with stress inoculating techniques (exercise, competition, walking, kayaking, biking, etc) we are actually producing BDNF. Which basically BUILDS the entire infrastructure around the brain. You want a more efficient pathway between your brain cells in order to recollect information, prime your brain's highways with "movement" beforehand. I use the word movement because you don't have to think about it like it is exercise, you just need to move your body in some way that excites you and pushes you to pump more blood, pull in more oxygen, and stress your muscles. By providing your body the movement you need, you are giving your brain a boost that is better than any energy drink or cup of coffee could ever give you. I encourage you to learn more on the subject if you are curious, or just take Dr. Ratey's word for it. Aerobic exercise will help prepare your brain to learn, improve your mood and attention, lower your stress and anxiety, stave off addiction, control hormonal changes (especially the unwanted ones), and guards against and can even reverse some of the effects of aging on the brain.

Go out and create a Spark in your life today!