Get off the couch

6 ways that exercise improves your brain

by JoAnna Wendel
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

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The health benefits of exercise are no question.

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Regular exercise can boost our mental health, increase resilience, and even help us live longer.

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Researchers recently analyzed 13 studies that looked at the connection between cognitive performance and exercise.

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In these studies, participants aged 18-35 either rested or did some aerobic activity like walking, running, or cycling. They also completed tests of memory, learning, and cognition.

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The researchers found that moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise can boost several cognitive functions.

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"Exercise makes you happy and focused," study co-author and physician Peter Blomstrand of County Hospital Ryhov and Jönköping University, tells Inverse. "Exercise makes you smart!"

Here are the 6 cognitive benefits of working out:

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1. Improved learning memory

2. Planning and problem solving

3. Concentration-related cognitive functions

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4. Long-term memory improvement

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5. Working memory improvement

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6. Improved verbal fluency

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