Exercise:Brain Benefits Short Term and Long

I really feel lousy today.  Both my kids are sick which makes quality sleep nearly impossible.  On top of that, I’ve caught some version of their crud.  And yet today I will exercise.

I will exercise because I know myself well enough to know what I am like without exercise.  Today I teach my class and I make a point to exercise prior to the class.  After aerobic exercise, I just show up more present and add greater value to the training experience.

For years scientists have known the short term benefits of exercise-increased energy, attention and focus being among them.  It’s well known of the good brain chemistry that results from an exercise event.  For the Global Creative, exercise also provides a valuable structure in the work day.  When I ride my bike it frees me from the daily onslought of minutia so I can entertain bigger more important thoughts and ideas.

According to a recent New York Times Article scientists are seeing evidence of longer term benefits from aerobic exercise.  The aerobic part is key.

Here is an excerpt:

Why should exercise need to be aerobic to affect the brain? “It appears that various growth factors must be carried from the periphery of the body into the brain to start a molecular cascade there,” creating new neurons and brain connections, says Henriette van Praag, an investigator in the Laboratory of Neurosciences at the National Institute on Aging. For that to happen, “you need a fairly dramatic change in blood flow,” like the one that occurs when you run or cycle or swim… – Gretchen Reynolds, NY Times Magazine, 9/20/09

So get out there are build some extra brain cells!

Cameron Gott PCC

ADHD Coach