The mind is a terrible thing to waste and a great thing to exercise.  Scientists are finding that physical exercise is not only good for the body, but it is equally as good for the brain.  Always adapting, the human brain rewires itself even when we are in our old age.  While disease is the cause of some cases of mental deficiency, most of the cases are because of inactivity, stimulation and mental exercise.  We have to keep learning and moving to keep our mental faculties in our later years.
 
Many of us now spend our day in front of computers or at desks, allowing us very little exercise.  Our ancestors had to move as a matter of survival.  They had to hunt their food or gather it.  They were forced to walk around and sometimes run throughout their day.  Our bodies were made to be mobile rather than sitting all day.
 
If the only exercise you get is walking you will be going a long way to helping your brain in your advancing years.  Walking increases the blood and glucose levels to your brain because walking increases blood circulation.  Walking basically oxygenates the brain.  It isn’t a very strenuous physical activity, so the other muscles don’t use up all of the glucose and oxygen that is in the blood flow.  Since the extra glucose and oxygen are in the blood by the time it reaches the brain, then brain sucks it up.  This is why abstract reasoning, concentration and improved learning ability are improved with walking.
 
You can even begin the day with exercise right in bed when you wake up.  Stimulate your internal organs and your brain by wiggling your toes when you wake up.  Stretch your toes and tighten them up.  This will initiate more blood flow to your body and especially the brain.  You will wake up quicker and won’t be as wobbly when you get out of bed.
 
Many people find that exercising in the morning is a great way to start the day.  They report experiencing a clearer mind and that they are ready to take on the day.  One of the reasons for this could be the increased amount of oxygen levels in the brain after the exercise.
 
While exercise might be a good tuning up your brain, it can also delay neurodegenerative diseases not only in the progression but even the onset of the diseases.  These diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease, seem to attack the hippocampus area of the brain and exercise, as well as continuous learning, strengthen this area of the brain which helps it fight back the disease when it is not that strong.
 
Those who exercise 3 or more times a week  can cut down the chances of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s significantly.  Don’t worry if if you don’t get in that much exercise.  Even small amounts of exercise can give you big boosts in fighting mental decline in later years.
 
Exercise stimulates different neurons then learning a new fact or concept.  Exercise allows the brain to fire it’s stimulus to muscles and organs to get them to properly handle the exertion.  So while you are exercising your body, you are also exercising your brain.  Do your brain a favor and get out there and move.