Action Required . . . For Body and Mind

The Link Between Keeping Your Body Active and Keeping Your Mind Active

There’s science behind keeping our minds healthy as we age. And although researchers haven’t discovered a silver bullet, they have found a clear link between aerobic exercise and brain health.

But harnessing the full benefits of exercise that will enhance our minds isn’t just about getting more of it; the greatest benefits may involve exercising the body and the mind at the same time.

Cognitive Stimulating Exercise

There have been hundreds of studies linking physical exercise and brain benefits. But more recently researchers have correlational evidence that cognitively stimulating exercise may be even better for our minds than aerobic exercise alone.

It’s possible that exercise that makes cognitive demands within a stimulating environment may produce more neurons or enhance neuronal survival.

One example of cognitively stimulating exercise that researchers considered was running on outdoor trails. The challenging aspects of trail running verse treadmill running include the requirement to stay alert, look ahead at the next step, see the dip in the ground and the curve in the trail and respond with split-second…