If we know one thing about our overall health, it's that there are a number of reasons to be physically active. Studies have shown that exercise can help reduce chances of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Maybe you work out to lose weight, combat depression, or lower blood pressure. Here's another reason perhaps you haven't thought of: brain fog. (You know, that cloudy feeling we sometimes experience that makes it hard to focus or complete tasks, remember things or feel energetic.)
Heidi Goodman, executive editor for Harvard Health Letter writes, "Exercise changes the brain in ways that protect memory and thinking skills." Researchers at the University of British Columbia conducted a study that found that regular aerobic exercise (think elevated heart rate and sweat) can help increase the size of the hippocampus. (This is the area of the brain that's responsible for verbal memory and learning.)
Read more on how regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills here.
Joyce Gomes-Osman, PhD, has compiled some ideal exercises for brain health. She reminds us that, "the best exercise program for one person may be quite different from the best one for another." Spoiler: she talks about aerobic activity (cycling or running) and lower-impact options such as yoga and resistance exercises.