Fitness Swellness: Fit childhood linked to better brain function as an adult

What were your activities growing up? Soccer? Ballet? Tennis? I dabbled briefly in swimming and gymnastics, but mostly I took dance (jazz ballet and hip hop) and then later on did some cheerleading — all here, let’s cheer! (Feast your eyes on the #throwbackthursday gem above from a junior high dance recital — that’s me front and centre in the denim cutoffs over black tights).

A new study published in Psychological Medicine has found that people who exercise regularly as a kid and an adult have better cognitive functioning at age 50 (specifically for memory and executive functioning — the test for that involved naming as many animals as possible in 60 secs).

The greatest benefits come from intensive exercise (but lower intensity exercise does help, too).

Whatcha waitin’ for? Get your workout on. I’m gonna put on some Debbie Gibson and practice some of old choreographies (wouldja believe I actually still remember many of the steps!?).

Leave a Comment March 14, 2013

Write on

As someone who adores pretty stationery and the personal touch of sending an actual handwritten letter or card over texting or emailing (although, admittedly, I’ve been doing much more of the latter), it made me smile to learn that handwriting (and teaching kids handwriting) offers health benefits, both mentally and physically in this piece from the Los Angeles Times.

Pencils, MUJI.

Leave a Comment June 16, 2011

Drop extra lbs and gain better memory

As if looking and feeling great weren’t enough reward, researchers have now discovered that losing weight is also linked to improving your memory.

The findings, which are soon to be published in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, found that bariatric patients improved from slightly impaired memory and concentration to a normal level 12 weeks after surgery. It’s thought that certain risk factors linked to being overweight (such as high blood pressure and sleep apnea) cause some damage to the brain that is somewhat reversible–so eliminate those risk factors…and it makes sense that memory and concentration improve.

Extra motivation to get healthier!

Leave a Comment April 13, 2011