4 MENTAL BENEFITS OF EXERCISE
When most of us exercise, our goal is to build muscle, lose weight, or help fight off the risk of heart disease. But did you know many mental benefits come with a strong workout, too? According to Dr. John J. Ratey, author of “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain,” “Exercise is the single best thing you can do for your brain in terms of mood, memory, and learning.” Check out these four ways exercise can help boost your mind.
medication. Other studies have found exercise and yoga can increase our levels of GABA (or y-Aminobutyric acid), which greatly improves mood.
ENHANCES LEARNING ABILITY Exercise helps our brains create new brain cells and establishes new connections between these cells to improve our learning ability. In a study done by German researchers, they found high school students scored better on high-attention tasks after doing 10 minutes of a complicated fitness routine when compared to those who did regular exercise. Those who were inactive scored the worst.
HELPS PREVENT THE EFFECTS OF AGING We all deal with stress on a regular basis, which plays a role in our aging process, but what are you doing to combat the negative effects of stress? In a study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, stressed-out
ENCOURAGES FUN AND ENJOYMENT Exercise may feel dull and tedious when you first start, but before long, you’ll feel enjoyment every time you go for a run or take part in your daily exercise routine. Look for fun and entertaining ways to get your exercise, like playing a sport you enjoy. These powerful mental benefits are just as important as the physical ones, so make an effort to develop a routine and stick to it. Your brain will thank you!
women who exercised intensely over the span of three days had cells that showed fewer signs of aging when compared to women who were stressed and inactive. This is an interesting find with exciting implications. But that’s not all. COMBATS DEPRESSION Various studies have shown exercise can help combat feelings of depression. Research suggests that burning 350 calories in a sweat-inducing activity can reduce symptoms of depression almost as well as antidepressant
TAKE A BREAK
Tasty Bruschetta Chicken
Inspired by Delish.com
Fresh tomatoes and basil abound in August, practically begging to become bruschetta! This recipe turns that appetizer into a main dish.
INGREDIENTS • 4 boneless and skinless chicken
• 3 tomatoes, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 slices mozzarella cheese • Parmesan cheese, grated
breasts, pounded to even thickness
• 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice, divided • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
DIRECTIONS 1. Add chicken to a large resealable bag. 2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.
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