Always trying to save time while taking great care of myself, I recently asked memory expert Cynthia Green (www.memoryarts.com) "If I could do just one thing to keep my brain strong, what would it be?" Any guesses on what she said? Doing crossword puzzles? Learning a new language or how to play an instrument? Taking certain supplements? Those are the answers that most people first think. But the real secret is... exercise. Putting it simply, your brain needs the nutrients that your blood delivers, so more exercise means more nutrients. Sheree Bykofsky, book agent, author and avid poker player (www.shereebee.com/) was with Cynthia and me during our dinner and she wasn't surprised at all to hear Cynthia's response. In fact, Sheree explained that her secret to winning poker tournaments is to exercise vigorously during the breaks. I love knowing that I'm strengthening my brain even while I'm indulging in a silly movie or "Golden Girls" reruns to distract me while on my exercise bike, or daydreaming during my runs.
Aug 1
Aug 5, 2009 at 9:08 AM On-the-dinero because exercise produces an in fusion
of Oxygen and Glucose for the brain thru the blood.
Here's another secret! Keep a SMILE on your face
all-the-time, particularly when NOT speaking, just
breathing. Smiling changes your inhalation when
breathing for the better. It flows deeper - called
diaphragmatically, instead of just CHEST breathing.
So what? The oxygen reaches down deep to feed all
your cells instead of just those at the top. You get
energized all day by Smiling-While-Breathing.
See ya,
Hal
www.speedlearning.org
Aug 6, 2009 at 6:43 AM Thanx, I love reading helpful, interesting short articles on various topics!! I'll keep exercising!!!!
Cindy
Aug 6, 2009 at 8:36 AM Wow! that simple. I know I always feel better and more energized when exercising -- now I'll do it more consistently just to save my brain, keep it strong an active. Already do all the other things that I thought kept the brain strong. Nice to know that my exercise has a great added benefit.
Aug 6, 2009 at 12:08 PM Wait a minute - so does this mean that muscleheads are brainiacs?? :)
Just kidding. As a regular exerciser (but not a musclehead) I already knew I was helping my body; glad to find out I'm helping my brain too.
Aug 6, 2009 at 2:29 PM Mental as well as physical exercise is required to keep the brain strong! Who the hell is Margie anyway?
Aug 6, 2009 at 8:14 PM Hello, Paul. Thanks for writing. I am the Publisher at Boardroom Inc. and of the Bottom Line newsletters. Here's a link to my bio: http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/experts/mabrams.html
Or go to the Experts tab on this site (you'll find it in the navigation bar on the left side of the screen), and click on me.
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:19 AM Thanks Margie, I just ran across your blog and am encouraged. I am heading back to school and am a little nervous about working and taking on school again. I haven't worked out consistently in about 6 months. It's back to the gym for sure now. Thank you again.
Aug 7, 2009 at 6:47 AM Good for you, Guy! One of the best lessons I learned from my father was that you always have to make time for exercise (a lesson he learned after a busy time in his life when he DIDN'T make the time). I usually exercise at night after my children are in bed. I change into my exercise clothes as soon as I get home from work, and NEVER sit on the couch before getting onto my exercise bicycle for my workout. I generally read or edit while I'm on the bike (I use a lap desk balanced on the handlebars to hold my papers). Maybe this strategy will help you with all that you are taking on in going back to school.
Aug 9, 2009 at 5:04 PM Thanks for the One Thing above all others, "Exercise"
Hearing it from you helps me to just do it.
It has been said, "People who walk a dog, get more from their exercise." One reason this is, is that the dog is way more enthused about the whole activity, and anticipates the "Treat." He encourages me to keep up the pace and even adds some sort of entertainment into the set.
Aug 24, 2009 at 6:18 PM Agreed. I say exercise helps with everything. Aches and pains,depression,insomnia,bones, cancer...I could go on and on. Brain health - absolutely! But also brain stimulation: I always get my most inspired and creative ideas while sweating away on the treadmill or bike.
Nov 11, 2009 at 11:37 AM I agree. I will be 63 next month and have been excercising regularly for years. Dancing is an exercise that will stimulate your brain by learning new steps. You have the benefits of music, aerobics, socializing, having fun, and thinking. It doesn't get any better than that.