Why is exercise one of the best things for your brain? Exercise is great for the brain because it pushes blood flow to the brain. And the brain needs good blood circulation, and any type of physical exercise activity will help to facilitate that. It is essential for the brain to get continuous blood circulation and if you are exercising regularly, it meets that goal.
Why Is Exercise One Of The Best Things For Your Brain? iStock-photo credit: Makhbubakhon IsmatovaRecent research studies have shown just exercising for a couple of months of consistent exercise can improve your memory, processing speed and improved decision making. A 2025 research study in the British Sports Journal Of Medicine examined 258,000 people who did low to moderate physical exercise activity. And the people in the group exercised less than 30 minutes and just twice a week. And the result of that study was improved cognition and memory function in about 1 to 3 months’ time frame.
What is crazy about this is there is even evidence that one workout can improve your focus and mental performance temporarily. A good example is doing a quick workout right before a big important meeting that will help sharpen your mental focus and performance.
If you incorporate exercise on a long-term basis, it has been shown in research studies to reduce the risk of developing brain diseases like dementia. There was a 2025 research study in the Journal Of The American Medical Doctors Association that followed 90,000 people in that study for about 4 and ½ years. In that period, they did about 35 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity each week. The study revealed that they were able to lower the risk of developing dementia by 41%.
When you exercise your brain releases important chemicals and one of these is neurotropic factor which helps to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and neurons in the brain. It also releases chemicals that reduce brain inflammation and increase neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin which help to regulate your mood and cognition.
Studies show that cardio is great for improved cognition and memory. And resistance training is great for improved mental control and mental status and the ability to suppress impulsive behavior or function.
Research studies show that doing 10,000 steps provides the most protection from dementia. And the higher the intensity the more protection. So, if you are doing more of a brisk walk than a casual walk that is better for your protection wise.
Exercise is one of the most important things for optimal brain health. Most people think about exercise from a vanity perspective in terms of whether I want a better butt or better abs. But most don’t know how impactful it is in improving your overall brain health especially as you get older.
The Bottom Line is that exercising is one of the best things for improving your overall brain health. Research studies show it can reduce the risk of dementia by 41%.
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References
1) JAMA Neurol
Published Online: September 6, 2022
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2) Wilke J, Stricker V, Usedly S. Free-Weight Resistance Exercise Is More Effective in Enhancing Inhibitory Control than Machine-Based Training: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Brain Sci. 2020 Oct 3;10(10):702. doi: 10.3390/brainsci10100702. PMID: 33022911; PMCID: PMC7599796.
3) Wanigatunga A, Dong Y, Jin M …
Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity at any Dose Reduces All-Cause Dementia Risk Regardless of Frailty Status
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 2025; 26
4) Singh B, Bennett H, Miatke A, Dumuid D, Curtis R, Ferguson T, Brinsley J, Szeto K, Petersen JM, Gough C, Eglitis E, Simpson CE, Ekegren CL, Smith AE, Erickson KI, Maher C. Effectiveness of exercise for improving cognition, memory and executive function: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2025 Jun 3;59(12):866-876. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-108589. PMID: 40049759; PMCID: PMC12229068.
