Brain Power
Our brain.
As of late, I've become super interested with the workings of our brain.
And more so, how our fitness impacts brain health.
In all my years in fitness, my focus has been the body... especially as a coach for women who primarily want body composition changes.
No one has yet come to me with a goal to improve their brain health and cognition.
And yet, with new research emerging, our cognition and brain health is becoming increasingly important...especially as we age.
I'm all for a healthy and strong body... and yes, a body composition that I'm happy with too.
But my brain?
My cognition?
My ability to remember things, process information, learn new skills, and manage my mood.
Priceless.
And yet we know that as we age there is of course a natural decline of our "brain power". Our ability to remember details or learn something new slowly shifts as our mental sharpness starts to lose its edge.
That's why I'm sold on strength training... now more than ever.
Strengthen your MUSCLES....
Stimulate your BRAIN
HOW?
Strength training doesn't just benefit our muscles and bones – it also has a profound impact on our brain health and cognition.
Here's how:
Neuroplasticity:
Strength training promotes neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. When we engage in strength training, especially challenging exercises that require concentration and coordination, we stimulate the growth of new neural pathways. So the skills of mastering a deadlift, a squat or a push-up require more than just muscle. Our brain needs to fire those motor units to create a contraction and that my friend, keeps our brain healthy!
Stress Reduction:
Strength training has been shown to reduce levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Chronic stress can impair cognitive function and contribute to cognitive decline over time. By lowering stress levels, strength training helps to protect and preserve brain health.
Lift weights to stress LESS.
Hormonal Balance:
Strength training can help regulate hormone levels, including estrogen and testosterone, which play key roles in brain health and cognitive function. For midlife women experiencing hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause, strength training becomes the "must-do" for all women. This non-negotiable piece of the menopausal puzzle helps mitigate insulin resistance which increases the risk of Type 2 Diabetes and other metabolic issues. This blood sugar regulation is critical for brain health since our brains use glucose for optimal function. Lifting weights helps us to become more insulin sensitive which means better blood sugar regulation and ultimately improved brain health.
So let's LIFT... not only for our body's muscles and bones but for our brains... especially as we age :)
