|
This newsletter is about the effect of exercise on your brain
Sept. 26, 2010
Brain Gains
Hi ,
When I saw this article this morning I just had to pass it along. The article is about a Canadian alternative school for kids with learning difficulties (like ADHD) and behavior problems that put exercise bikes and treadmills into their math classroom. Before class the kids would do 20 minutes of moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise. Over the course of 4 months these kids jumped a full grade in reading, writing, and math. One 8th grade teacher reported that before the exercise equipment was brought in the average attention span of the kids was 10 minutes. After the four months of exercise their attention span expanded to 3 hours.
This story clearly underscores the vital necessity for us to get up and exercise. This is dramatically true for learning disabled kids. Exercise builds nerve pathways, neurotransmitters, and improves how the brain is organized. When you exercise your body, you are also exercising your brain. Ancient Greek philosophers used to say that a healthy body builds a health mind.
Seminars I have taken on the latest cutting edge in the science of brain degeneration also emphasize the value and importance of physical exercise to slow down brain aging. Exercise also stimulates portions of the brain that control the body repair pathways (the parasympathetic system).
So how much exercise are we talking about here? A minimum of 20 minutes of exercise 3 times a week that pushes your heart rate up to 75% of maximum. Even better is to push yourself up to maximum for 30 seconds then slow down to 75% for a couple minutes then repeat the cycle until your 20 minutes are up. That would be 8 cycles of fast and slower movement.
Your brain is your life. If your brain is not working well, you do not feel good. Your health is the most basic and valuable thing you can have, and your brain health is the center of everything. I know we don't like to take the time out of our pursuit of happiness for something as mundane as body maintenance, but without some care for our body happiness becomes unattainable. So, let's get up and move!
Good Journey,
David
http://home.ezezine.com/221/221-2010.09.26.07.00.archive.html
Experience Ellen's Life Coaching Process during her Free Health Exam
Discover your true health status
________
Ouestions - if you have questions of a health or growth nature we could discuss in this newsletter, or if you have comments or ideas about a future newsletter focus please email me at:
david@fairoakshealth.com
| 
