In January I set myself the resolution to master the humble pull-up. I didn’t have a lot of strength in my upper body so I knew it would be difficult, but I thought it would be fine. Because I’m not doing this to get stronger or healthier. I’m doing this for my brain.
Like many people, I used to exercise to stay fit.But a few years ago, while writing my book Brain Power: Everything you need to know for a healthy and happy brain, delved into the literature on movement and the mind. What I discovered changed my relationship with exercise forever.
It’s no secret that exercise is good for the brain as well as the body. But the past decade has shown just how transformative it can be, whether it improves academic performance in children, boosts mood and memory in adults, or even protects us from cognitive decline. There is an explosion of research on “This seems to be one of the most important things you can do for your brain,” says David Rubens of the University of Newcastle, Australia. “I don’t really think about the physical benefits. It’s all about feeling better and optimizing brain function.”
Scientists like Rubens are now turning their attention to how and why exercise has such a powerful effect on the mind. What they’re discovering is that they’re figuring out what actually works and showing us how to make the most of the brain-boosting power of physical exercise.
One of the first evidences of a connection between exercise and the brain came in the 1990s when geneticist Fred Gage discovered exercise.
