Pivot Point Health & Fitness

Fitness plays a crucial role in healthy aging and brain health

Did you know that fitness plays a crucial role in healthy aging and brain health? Here are five reasons why staying active and fit is important as you age:

1. Improved cognitive function: Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function and memory as you begin to age. Regular physical activity can help keep your brain sharp and reduce your risk of age-related cognitive decline.
2. Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Staying active and fit can also reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. By maintaining a healthy weight, improving your cardiovascular health, and reducing inflammation, you can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of chronic diseases. When you reduce your risk of chronic disease, you improve brain function and health. 
3. Improved balance and mobility: Regular exercise can help improve your balance and mobility, reducing your risk of falls and injuries as you age. Exercise will support your brain’s ability to process information, improving your ability to react in a moment’s time. 
4. Increased longevity: Studies have shown that regular exercise can increase longevity, allowing you to enjoy a longer, healthier life. You are as young as your mind thinks…so support your mind in staying active and youthful. Exercise has been shown to support motor skill development and correspondingly brain health. 
5. Reduced stress and anxiety: Exercise has been shown to reduce stress hormone levels in the body, particularly cortisol. Here’s how it works:

When you engage in physical activity, your body produces endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals. Endorphins help to reduce stress levels and improve your overall mood. At the same time, exercise triggers the release of other hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which help to alleviate stress and anxiety.

In addition to boosting mood-boosting hormones, exercise also helps to regulate the production of cortisol, a hormone that is released in response to stress. Cortisol is essential for regulating the body’s stress response, but chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can have negative effects on the body.

Regular exercise has been shown to help regulate cortisol levels, reducing the negative impact of chronic stress on the body. Additionally, exercise can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which is often associated with chronic stress. Less inflammation in the body supports brain health. 

Overall, exercise is a powerful tool for reducing stress hormone levels in the body. By boosting mood-boosting hormones and regulating cortisol production, regular physical activity can help to reduce stress, and anxiety, and improve overall mental and physical health.

So, whether it’s going for a walk, taking a yoga class, or lifting weights, make sure to prioritize fitness as you age. Your body and brain will thank you!
If you want more information on how to jump-start your physical activities, contact Pivot Point.