Yes, I’m a nerd. And I embrace my nerdship. I play Lumosity games every day to exercise my brain. Some of the games are lots of fun, like the train one. I’m really bad at it, but I enjoy it. Other games are not so much fun, but I do them (sigh) because they’re good for me. All beside the point. The other day I earned a card playing brain games on Lumosity: Exercise and the Brain.
Exercise is good for the brain
It’s nothing we didn’t already know, that exercise is good for the brain. Exercise, especially cardio, increases blood flow, including blood flow to the brain. And regular exercise has been linked to slower loss of brain volume as we age. Lumosity cites a study by Luis F. Ciria, et al that seems to confirm this. The researchers note in this review that exercise does not seem to cause improved cognition, but other studies have shown that with exercise our cognitive function is sustained.
Lumosity is quick to point out that a single workout won’t do much for our brain, but regular workouts do seem to give our brains a boost.
Moderate workouts for the win
And they note that the workouts don’t have to be intense. Regular moderate workouts are great for our brain. A 30-minute brisk walk most days of the week is something to shoot for. An amble through a shopping mall won’t cut it, though. If you don’t like to walk, Lumosity, like others, says that a workout you will do is loads better than scheduling a workout that you won’t.
I’m not a huge fan of walking or running on my own, so I’ve implemented the Make It Fun and It Gets Done theory. I listen to an exciting audiobook that lets me forget what I’m doing and takes me into the story. Before I know it, my treadmill time is done, I’m dripping with sweat, and the characters in my book have gotten themselves into another dangerous situation.
So, get your walk on. It’s good for your brain. Find a way to make exercise at least tolerable. Lumosity says so.
