Keep Your Mind Sharp by Moving Your Body

If the promise of tighter abs and more shapely legs isn’t enough incentive to get you into the gym, one study confirming the link between exercise and maintaining your mental sharpness just may. As you age, particularly after reaching 30, tissues in the brain responsible for learning, problem solving and memory begin to shrink. When they do, mental functioning starts to drop off. But according to a University of Illinois study that used MRIs to track brain function, people who exercise regularly were able to slow that decline. Those who did both aerobic and strength-training exercises showed the best results. Older adults in particular got the most benefit from regular exercise. The study further discovered that older women who take hormone replacement therapy experience an even greater cognitive benefit from increased physical activity than men. This study confirmed that a relationship between cardiovascular fitness and mental functioning exists. The best part: It’s not necessary to become a marathon runner or tri-athlete to keep your mental edge. According to researchers, walking, biking or swimming three days a week for 30-45 minutes can make a significant difference. So what are you waiting for? Wise up and go for a walk.