Mar 06, 2026
3 min read
This post was written by Joe Gephart, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, Employer Solutions. Our...
This article was written by Geoff Gephart, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, Employer Solutions.
We've long understood the importance of exercise to maintain our bodies, but recent research shows the benefits of exercise for mental health, too.We now know that regular movement works as a energizer, not a drug to improve cognitive function, improve memory and build endurance.In fact, neurologists agree that of all the interventions available to help dementia, exercise is the most important and effective.
A key mechanism for the benefits of exercise is the brain's ability to repair damaged cells.Physical activity stimulates the release of molecules called "exercises" that promote the formation of new neurons and make new connections between brain cells, especially in the hippocampus, an area of the brain important for learning and memory.
In addition,Exercising essential oxygen;Improves cerebrovascular health by providing glucose and other nutrients.
In addition, regular exercise affects mental health in several ways:
- Executive functions: Practice helps manage tasks, plan, focus, remember instructions, and train to multitask successfully.
- Memory power: Aerobic activities such as walking, swimming and cycling are particularly associated with increased hippocampal volume and better short and long term memory.
- Speed of processing: High performance will help the brain process information faster.
- Mental resilience: by reducing chronic inflammation and lowering stress hormones such as cortisol, exercise protects the brain from the damaging effects of oxidative stress.
The type of exercise needed to get neurological support doesn't seem to matter, as long as your exercise program challenges your muscles and gets your heart rate up.Doing muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week provides a great boost to overall cognitive function, but even a simple walk is a reasonable choice.A few thousand steps a day can reduce the risk of dementia.That's why it's important to get your heart rate up, so you'll need to walk as if you're trying to and when it comes to aerobic activity, aim for at least 150 minutes a week, although research shows that even 35 minutes a week can reduce the risk of dementia by 41%.
Whether it's a short 10-minute walk or a structured gym session, any movement is better than a sedentary lifestyle.By prioritizing physical activity, you can protect your cognitive future and keep your mind sharp and strong into your later years.
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"Have a Brain Development Talk," New York Times, January 6, 2026.
"Exercise May Improve Memory and Thinking," Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Medical School, 26 Aug. 2024.
Di Liegro CM, Schiera G, Proia P, Di Liegro I. "Physical activity and brain health."Genes (Basel).2019 Sep 17;10(9):720.doi: 10.3390/genes10090720.
