The brain is a dynamo – it’s always warping and changing and creating new neural connections as we
learn new things. This ability to change and reorganize synaptic connections of the brain is known as
neuroplasticity, with which the brain can modify and adapt various structures and functions throughout
life as a direct result of an individual’s experiences. So if you injure yourself or have a new experience,
your brain will be changed as a result of that. Keeping these capabilities sharp and intact will allow you
to be at your peak performance – ensuring that you are always smarter than a fifth grader! So, what
steps can you take to ensure that your brain is always healthy and working its best for you?
What Impacts Brain Health?
Well, brain health is improved by physical exercise and aerobic activity. These activities improve the
overall blood flow to the brain and reduce inflammation as well. Exercise also stimulates the production
of endorphins that are natural painkillers and mood elevators while squashing cortisol, or stress
hormone, levels. Increasing good feelings and squashing stress? Sounds like a win to me! There is also
the potential for physical benefits and changes to the brain, such as increase in thickness of the cerebral
cortex and improved integrity of white matter in the brain. The increased blood flow to the brain also
increases oxygen and the flow of nutrients which in turn will support neuronal function. This means that
by exercising you can trigger the neural processes that facilitate neuroplasticity and enhance your
individual ability to learn, respond and adapt to external stimuli. I can even give you some evidence!
Recent research studied a group of 454 adults and had them participate in yearly physical exams and
cognitive testing for 20 consecutive years and donate their brains for research at the end of their life.
During the study accelerometers tracked their movement and physical activity 24/7. Analysis of results
showed that individuals who moved more consistently scored higher on memory and thinking tests and
the increased physical activity was associated with a 31% reduction is risk of dementia. A similar study
concluded that even participants who didn’t meet the minimum activity guidelines benefited from just
that little bit of extra activity. Researchers found that each hour of light intensity physical activity and
striving for 7,500 steps a day at minimum was associated with a higher total brain volume, which is
equivalent to about 1.4 to 2.2 years less brain aging!
With exercise you’ll be able to keep your brain young and fit, and smarter than a fifth grader. Not only
that, but this is especially exciting because it is so easy to implement – anyone at any age or stage of life
can start trying to implement more physical activity in their day-to-day life, and it won’t just help your
brain, but your whole body, mood, and so many other things. It will always be a good idea to start trying
more exercise. Alongside physical activity, we can keep our brain sharp by doing intellectually
stimulating activities specific to the brain, such as working on puzzles, vocabulary, and languages. With
all this in mind, I’m confident that you have all the knowledge necessary to keep your brain smarter than
a fifth grader!
