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Posted May 15, 2016 in Debra’s Wellness Tips

Gray Matter

By Debra Basham

Debra’s Wellness Tips

I had just finished last week’s tip on the benefits of salsa dancing when I saw this quotation in a Medline Plus report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH): “Any type of physical activity that burns calories — from jogging to gardening to walking to dancing — is associated with more gray matter in the brain.”

Increased gray matter in the brain means a healthier brain and correlates with a reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease, says Dr. Cyrus Raji, a postdoctoral researcher in radiology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The most important thing is that you get on a regular exercise schedule and stick to it.

If getting regular exercise is new (or foreign) to you, here are a few tips from HelpGuide.org on how you can be successful:

  • Ditch the all-or-nothing attitude. You don’t have to spend hours in a gym or force yourself into monotonous or painful activities you hate to experience the physical and emotional benefits of exercise. A little exercise is better than nothing. In fact, adding just modest amounts of physical activity to your weekly routine can have a profound effect on your mental and emotional health.
  • Be kind to yourself. Research shows that self-compassion increases the likelihood that you’ll succeed in any given endeavor. So don’t beat yourself up about your body, your current fitness level, or your supposed lack of willpower. All that will do is demotivate you. Instead, look at your past mistakes and unhealthy choices as opportunities to learn and grow.
  • Check your expectations. You didn’t get out of shape overnight, and you’re not going to instantly transform your body either. Expecting too much, too soon only leads to frustration. Try not to be discouraged by what you can’t do or how far you have to go to reach your fitness goals. Instead of obsessing over results, focus on consistency. While the improvements in mood and energy levels may happen quickly, the physical payoff will come in time.

    • This week, notice how these suggestions apply to your success in life in addition to your getting regular exercise. Let’s all agree now to ditch the all-or-nothing attitude, be kind to ourselves, and check our expectations. I think you will agree the benefits will be ample!

    Tips from 5 April 2010 to 6 August 2012 are here: Archived Tips

    May 15th, 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Category: Debra’s Wellness Tips

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    Small Changes … Infinite Results™

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