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HOW EXERCISE SUPPORTS THE BRAIN

by nisha jackson , phd np hhp

here are too many advantages of exercise to list them all, prefrontal cortex and medial temporal cortex—have a larger volume in
but the big ones are reducing the odds of heart disease, people who move their body than those who are sedentary. This research
stroke, obesity, diabetes, depression, and dementia. also indicates that this size increase can occur after only six months of
TAnd the way that exercise can protect the brain is phe- regular, moderate aerobic exercise. Just think—you could become even
nomenal. Exercise and regular movement of the body has been more brilliant in six short months!
found to clear up brain fog, heal the brain, grow new brain cells,
and reduce the negative effects of aging on the brain. Even more The reality is that you will be way more stressed, depressed, and out
amazingly, regular aerobic exercise—the kind that gets your heart of balance when you are not moving your body, so there should be no
pumping and sweat glands working—appears to boost the size of excuse for you to want to feel like this. Moving your body must be part
your hippocampus, the tiny area of the brain that is involved with of your routine for you to stay sharp, be positive, act confident, age bet-
memory, the ability to think, and learning new things. ter, look better, and be strong. Most important of all, exercise provides
an outlet for stress to get out of your body.
With dementia on the rise, and one new case of it diagnosed every three
seconds globally, it’s time to incorporate some brain protection meas- If you are struggling with finding motivation or where to start your
ures into our daily plan. Exercise promotes memory and clear think- health journey, contact OnePeak Medical to meet with one of our
ing in several ways. And the most important of these is that it reduces Fitness and Nutrition Advisers. They will get you on the fast track to
inflammation and stimulates growth factors (chemicals in the brain that looking and feeling your absolute best!
support the health of brain cells, growth of new blood vessels, and even
more new brain cells). Exercise also improves mood (dramatically) and -Nisha
is one of the best ways to treat depression and anxiety. Finally, moving
our body daily helps improve sleep cycles, which we now know protect
our brains in ways unmatched by any other supplement or preventive
measure.
Nisha Jackson PhD, MS, NP, HHP
Exercise increases your overall well-being, which puts more pep into Founder of OnePeak Medical Clinics
your step. It accomplishes this by pumping up endorphins, which are & BRAND(X) Supplements
your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. I like to call exercise “medita-
tion in motion.” This is how I feel when I exercise. It clears my mind
and gives me a place to put all of the “stuff” rambling around in my Dr. Nisha Jackson, PhD, is a nationally
brain—making me constantly think and process. Exercise provides a recognized hormone expert and
way to release the tension that builds up in my brain and allows me to gynecology health specialist. She is
release my thoughts into the universe when I have no more room for renowned as a lecturer, motivational
ideas or learning. I have not found anything else (not even meditation) speaker, radio host, columnist and author
that works quite as well to alleviate irritation and frustration from the of her newest book, Brilliant Burnout.
day as much as working up a sweat. Nisha is the owner and founder
of OnePeak Medical Clinics in
As you begin to shed daily tensions through physical movement, you Oregon, with locations in Eugene, Medford, Roseburg, Klamath
will also find that you can focus on a single task, while remaining more Falls and Grants Pass. OnePeak Medical specializes in
optimistic and clear minded than before. If you have trouble staying healthy aging and hormone balancing for men and
focused and your patience is gone, you can remedy this problem by add- women.
ing regular daily body movement to your routine. It truly is that simple. For more information visit:
Onepeakmedical.com
If none of that has convinced you to start exercising, how about this: NishaJackson.com
Studies have shown that people who exercise have bigger brains. TakeBrandx.com
The areas of the brain also involved with thinking and memory—the

70 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | spring 2021