It has long been suspected that exercise is one of the biggest variables in keeping people mentally alert and “sharp” into their older age. I know for my 84 year old grandma, keeping active has been one of the keys to her continued mental sharpness and sense of well being. Even though she doesn’t “work out” per se, she is always up and around doing things, moving, going out with her friends, and running her home dog grooming business.

There is never really a dull moment for her, and hence her mind has stayed mentally sharp and focused. It’s those that do not keep busy and active that tend to start to lose this mental sharpness earlier, for lack of physical and mental stimulation.

Even take me for example. I’m a 33 year old woman, and at work, before I go to the gym for the day, which is typically early afternoon, I typically experience a mental fog at about noon. Once I go to the gym and workout, my mind and body are rejuvenated and revitalized and I feel mentally ready for new challenges and to think critically, which is important on the job.

Exercise not only helps deliver enorphins to the brain, which are a stimulation of sorts, as well as a mood elevator, but it keeps the brain active by coorinating the muscle movements and endurance necessary to complete a workout. Think of your brain as sort of a muscle - it’s a “use it or lose it” scenario, same as mentally exercising your brain, you must also physically exercise the body that supports the brain for long term mental sharpness.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 10th, 2007 at 3:09 pm and is filed under Health and Fitness News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.