Have you ever thought about what would be worse, losing physical abilities or a decrease in mental acuity? Obviously, neither would be desirable. Not being able to remember things or the people in your life must be frustrating and scary. Who would want that? Having a sharp mind, but not being able to do anything physically that you want to do would be pretty frustrating as well. As we age, both become more likely without preventative measures. I think it’s safe to say that we would all choose to have a healthy mind and body as we age?
Most people know that regular exercise can help keep you physically fit as we age, and might even know some strategies to help with maintaining mental functioning (such as reading and challenging puzzles). As life expectancy increases, so does the number of people living with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia. What if you could do one thing that helps with both mental and physical stamina? Is there a connection between mind and body fitness?
What helps us physically and mentally as we age?
It’s been found that exercise can be an effective treatment for depression and improve sleep. It’s known that working out causes chemical and hormonal changes within our bodies. These changes help to regulate our internal processes. The fact that exercise can have this effect on us makes it logical to think that there could be even more benefits to our mental health than just mood and sleep regulation. If exercise can improve the outcome of physical abilities and some mental functions, maybe it can decrease mental deterioration as well. Several studies have reported the relationship between physical activity and reduced incidence of dementia or cognitive deterioration .
There are a lot of studies and research out there suggesting that exercise is beneficial to our mental well being, especially as we age. Some studies have found that the type and intensity of the workouts make a difference. When comparing higher intensity to lower, the higher intensity seems to relate to higher mental functioning. As far as I know, there isn’t any evidence showing that exercise decreases cognitive function. So, even if there is no guarantee that working out is going to prevent you from developing neurodegenerative diseases, it’s not going to hurt you. It’s going to reduce the risk. Why chance it? Aim for a better quality life as you age. Go out, get moving, and improve your life for the present and future. What’s stopping you?
