Good for you. If your boss gives you any flack about showing up late, I’ve got your back.
I love exercise for so many reasons and it is more important than the average person realizes. Exercise is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth! As athletes we know that it feels good (most of the time) and helps us to get rid of the crazies…. but what is it doing at a physiological level?
Exercise improves the vitality and function
of the Central Nervous System (CNS).
The central nervous system includes our brain, brain stem and spinal cord. It is responsible for controlling basic human desires, thoughts, emotions, and movement. It positively impacts your cardiovascular, endocrine and musculoskeletal health.
We all KNOW exercise is healthy, but why should you or your boss care?
Exercise helps with mental clarity, focus, creativity, memory, and performance. Remember that proposal or brief you must write? Exercise clears some of the brain fog and helps you do that more effectively and efficiently.
Exercise has anti-aging properties at a neurobiological level in the brain:
For instance, strength and resistance training increases muscular mass AND triggers a neurobiological sequence including preservation of brain and cognition. Strength training also improves executive function i.e. Decision making, flexible thinking, self-control, focus and much more. Who doesn’t want an employee that can make clear, solid decisions?
We also know that endurance exercise (running, biking, swimming) improves cardiovascular health, muscle mass AND improves cognition, processing speed, memory, neural plasticity and builds cortical mass (important for cognition) that lasts for years even when you are no longer training.
So next time you are a few minutes late just let your boss know it was for their benefit!
-xo Kate
Gomez-Pinilla F, Hillman C. The influence of exercise on cognitive abilities. Compr Physiol. 2013;3(1):403-428. doi:10.1002/cphy.c110063
Álvarez-Bueno C, Pesce C, Cavero-Redondo I, et al. Academic achievement and physical activity: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2017;140(6):e20171498
Herold, F., Törpel, A., Schega, L. et al. Functional and/or structural brain changes in response to resistance exercises and resistance training lead to cognitive improvements