Cool Brain Research

WHAT?

So the brain really is cool! I decided to research John Ratey and his work on exercise and the mind. He not only talks about exercise and intelligence, but also about how exercise effects other area's of our lives as well. Ratey discusses how exercise can affect happiness, stress, intelligence, aggression, memory and addiction. I have noticed a difference in the way that I feel personally if I exercise.

Exercise does seem to make me happier. Not necessarily the process of exercising, and definitely not before, but afterwards. I feel more content with myself because I feel like I have accomplished something for the day. Evidence shows that exercise affects the hippocampus which is responsible for a persons mood. When we exercise it actually can lighten the mood.

Exercise is a great way to deal with stress, because we all have that fight or flight response to stress. These days because stress can come in any form, there is not always an outlet to release it. Exercise can provide that. Whether it is really "fighting" (kickboxing) or "flighting" (running), blood flow is increased in the brain and we receive a release.

Exercise does not actually make us smarter. As I said before, it increases blood flow to the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and learning. Tests have been done that show that exercise improves cognitive functions in old and young alike.

Exercise not only helps us release pent up aggression, but it changes the brain so that we feel less aggressive. It makes our brains more active so that we can make more logical choices. It makes us think about the consequences of our actions.

Ratey states that, "Exercise does more than anything we know of to boost memory." Again this has to do with blood flow. It increases blood flow to that part of the brain responsible for memory and improves its function. It is like brain fertilizer.

The last thing Ratey spoke of was exercise and addiction. In smokers, exercise helped to reduce the urge to smoke by releasing dopamine into the brain. Even five minutes of brisk exercise can reduce the intensity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Ratey said that if there were a drug form of exercise, they would use it as an aide to help people overcome addictions.

SO WHAT?

I think that this shows that even though many people do not enjoy the actual process of exercising, its benefits are worth the effort. If I can do better in anything I am doing by going for a thirty minute jog first, why wouldn't I? I have noticed that if I run in the morning, I am more awake for the day. I feel like I can concentrate and understand better. When I exercise at night, I have a hard time sleeping because I feel like my brain won't turn off. Exercise is not only important to keep my body healthy and fit, but my mind as well.

NOW WHAT?

This can be very useful for me as a teacher. Especially a PE teacher. I can use exercise as a way to help my students reach their full potential in not only my class, but in the rest of their classes as well. Helping students to see the importance of physical activity in their lives while they are young, will help them to develop the habit of exercise throughout their lives. It will help them to be happier, less stressed, aggressive and depressed, and will help them to fulfill their potential.