A new study has found that getting plenty of exercise is not only great for your body and fitness levels, but it can also do wonders for your mental health – scientists suggest that it could help prevent dementia and progressive brain disorders. This works through exercise by reducing stress, improving cognitive function and helping to improve your memory. Likewise, it will help to prevent other health concerns such as diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
You should aim for around thirty minutes of exercise several times a week in order to get your heart rate up, build muscle tone and improve your fitness level. This doesn’t have to mean an intense gym session every time though – even routine tasks such as the laundry or housework count as aerobic exercise, so maybe alternate between lighter exercises and more thorough regimes each week to strike a balance. Strength training, for example, not only helps to build muscle tone in your body but it also helps to maintain your brain health, which contributes towards the positive effects it has on your mental health. You can supposedly cut your risk of Alzheimer’s disease in half simply by including two to three resistance training sessions into your regime each week.
You should aim for exercises that improve your coordination skills as well, as these help to keep you agile and improve your balance. Yoga or Tai Chi are great choices for increasing your flexibility and balance – exercises involving a balance ball are also good choices if you prefer to exercise at home. Maintaining your exercise programme is key to seeing results, both physically and mentally, so don’t give up if you don’t see results straight away. If you’re new to exercise, be sure to take it slow and build up to more sessions as your fitness improves – if you’re unsure or have prior health concerns, check with your GP before making any drastic lifestyle changes.
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