In the article How Physical Fitness Influences Success we discussed the benefits of being fit and of working out on a regular basis.  We stated that being fit means you will be more productive, more mentally alert and more confident.  All of these factors combined will help you become a more successful person.  A new book by Dr. John Ratey called Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain suggests that regular physical activity makes the brain function better and might combat depression and anxiety, validating the importance of exercise for your success.

 

Dr. Ratey, who is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, is taking the positive correlation of physical activity and the better functioning of the brain to a new level of understanding.

 

Here is how Dr. Ratey describes how exercise improves how the brain functions:

 

“A fast-paced workout boosts the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor.  I call it Miracle-Gro for the brain, and physical activity is one of the best ways to release this brain nourishing protein.”

 

Dr. Ratey also explains that exercising increases the production of cells in the hippocampus, the region of the brain involved in learning and memory.  To prove his point, he refers to an example in the Naperville school district in Illinois where a physical education teacher made the kids in the school run a mile every week and graded the kids on their effort instead of skills.  The new exercise routine had a tremendous positive impact in the kids’ learning abilities.  The results were that Naperville kids achieved sixth place in math and first in science on a worldwide test that compares how kids from different countries do in these subjects.

 

Not only does exercise help you become smarter, it also has a significant impact in your ability to deal with stress, which is essential in your quest for success.  Studies have shown that exercise helps short-circuit the normal response to stress which is higher blood pressure and increased heart rate.  People that work out on a regular basis are much more resistant to this type of stress response and are more likely to stay calm in situations that would have triggered an unhealthy response in the past.

 

If being stronger, smarter, and less stressed isn’t enough motivation to get you going on an exercise program, you should also note that regular exercise is a good medication against anxiety and mild to moderate depression.  Here is what Dr. Ratey had to say about the effects of exercise on your mood:

 

“I first noticed the link between exercise and mood disorders because I had a number of patients who ran marathons.  They told me they started to feel depressed after they stopped training.  The more you move your body, the more you can jump-start the brain and, in some cases, end the cycle of worry, anxiety and the blues.”

 

In addition to the benefits above, a regular workout can also help control addictions as the workout helps redirect the brain away from the substance of abuse and fights the impulse to reach for the substance.  It can also help you better focus and concentrate.  Dr. Ratey points out that he had several patients that timed their workout period to help them concentrate later in the day.

 

A vigorous workout can also help revitalize an aging brain.  Several studies have shown that exercise prevents cognitive decline and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s.  It can also prevent the age-related brain fogginess that often develops by age 65.

 

The benefits of exercising have been proven scientifically.  If you are serious about achieving success, getting on a regular exercise program is an excellent way to boost your chances of reaching your goals.