Exercise is a powerful tool for mental health from "summary" of Spark by John J. Ratey
Exercise is the single most powerful tool you have to optimize your brain function. It directly affects our brain’s ability to perform. Aerobic exercise has a unique capacity to exhilarate and relax, to provide stimulation and calm, to counter depression and dissipate stress. This is a bit like a “magic pill” that can improve learning on three levels: first, it optimizes your mind-set to improve alertness, attention, and motivation; second, it prepares and encourages nerve cells to bind to one another, which is the cellular basis for logging in new information; and third, it spurs the development of new nerve cells from stem cells in the hippocampus. Exercise also has a global effect on our brain’s cellular machinery. It increases the production of a protein called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which promotes the growth of neurons, the connections between neurons, and the very survival of new neurons. BDNF also repairs neurons from the insults of stress and environmental toxins. Exercise acts as a fertilizer for the brain by increasing the production of molecules that fuel brain cells, promote the growth of blood vessels in the brain, and even aid the process of neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons). In addition to facilitating the birth of new neurons, exercise also acts as a powerful cognitive enhancer by improving the function of existing neurons. It stimulates the production of neurotransmitters that promote a more positive mood, helps neurons bind to one another, and improves the health and metabolism of neurons. All of these benefits result in improved learning, memory, and cognitive function.- It is crucial to consider exercise as a critical component of maintaining optimal mental health. Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can have profound effects on your brain’s ability to function, learn, and thrive. By understanding the powerful impact that exercise has on our brain’s cellular machinery, we can harness its potential to improve our mental well-being and overall quality of life.
