Dr. Wendy Suzuki, Ph.D. spoke to the General Session of over 900 Chairs and staff about brain health last week. Dr. Suzuki is the dean of the college of Arts and Sciences at NYU and Professor of Neural Science and Psychology. She is an expert on brain plasticity particularly the hippocampus and uses the brain in her lab named Betty to explain how it works.
The title of her talk was Move Your Body, Transform your Brain. Are you drawn in by the possibility? First she went over the studies that demonstrate the validity of her recommendations. Even a 10 minute walk helps your brain. Add more aerobic exercise, and you will build more synapses in the prefrontal cortex and build more brain cells in the hippocampus. These are the 2 areas of your brain most susceptible to degeneration as we age. You can do something to stave off these disease states like dementia.
So what should we do, She recommends 45 minutes of aerobic exercise 2 to 3 times a week – like a brisk power walk. That seems possible doesn’t it? Break a little sweat? Get a friend and catch up on life, right?
The problem for most if us is motivation.
Dr Suzuki gave us 3 motivators:
- Every time you move your body you are giving your Brain a “bubble bath” of beneficial neurochemicals that improves mental health and lowers anxiety.
2. Moving your body regularly will grow shiny new brain cells in yor hippocampus and new synapses in your prefrontal cortex. This staves of aging.
3. Moving your body is like an immediately available shield that will protect your brain from aging and neurodegenerative diseases
Exercise also helps us focus better and reduces anxiety. What is not to like? So before you watch the super bowl, go outside or jump on a treadmill. Or dance with Bad Bunny and jump up and down as you watch the game.
If you don’t think Vistage peer groups get value at every meeting-from the speakers, the conversations and the input from your peers, don’t click here.