5 Exercises to Boost Brain Health: Ways to Keep Your Mind and Body Fit With Physical Activity

Closer shares five ways to boost your brain health — as told by experts!

Resistance Training: People who engage in resistance training tend to have better brain health,” says Austin Perlmutter, M.D., coauthor of Brain Wash: Detox Your Mind for Clearer Thinking, Deeper Relationships, and Lasting Happiness. “While heavy weights can be great, you can get an excellent workout with lighter weights. Similarly, you don’t have to lift for hours to get brain benefits. Even doing a few minutes of resistance training a day may benefit you.”

Yoga: Most people know that yoga is good for stress reduction, but according to UCLA Health’s Dr. Helen Lavretsky, it’s also “a brain-fitness exercise that could lead to better plasticity.” Other mind-body practices, including tai chi and meditation, are also beneficial for staying sharp.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Short, intense bursts of exercise followed by quick recovery periods can elevate levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that promotes the growth of new brain cells and is associated with both improved memory and learning ability. To get started, try sprinting as fast as you can for 10 seconds, then rest for 20 seconds. Repeat six times.

Cardio: Running, biking, swimming — they all increase blood flow to the brain, which, according to the experts at Harvard Medical School, “promotes the growth of new nerve cells within the brain, increases the brain’s ability to form new connections as you learn, and boosts the release of neurotransmitters that improve brain function.”

Dancing: According to the CDC, you can “dance your way to better brain health,” as it can help with memory, attention and focus as you get older. So put on some tunes and start moving!