10 Minutes of Cardio to a Better Brain

Most of us wake up to that most annoying alarm clock, desperately seeking that heaven-sent Snooze button. If you should find that Snooze button in your groggy state, you may, at best, get another 10 minutes of shut eye, only to have that cacophonous buzz go off in our ears for the second time in the same morning. If waking up is painful to you, then waking up twice should be excruciating. I was once a Snoozer but, have opted for a much more uplifting alternative – 10 minutes of Cardio. You may be wondering how physical activity will make you less tired and groggy. Going for a 10 minute jog is probably the last thing on most people’s minds upon getting up for work. I’ve made the switch and try to commit to performing 10 minutes of Cardio before I get my day started.

When the human body engages in cardio activity, certain hormones are released that otherwise stay dormant. The human body was built for physical activity. When the body’s heart rate begins to increase, a few things begin to happen within the human brain. Cardio exercise has been linked to the regeneration of neurons – the core building blocks of the brain. For you science freaks out there, this process is called neurogenesis. The number of neurons in your brain can contribute to improved brain function by increasing the number of possible conduits for a synaptic transmission. With an increase in neurons, the brain has more “opportunities” to create a synaptic transmission between these neurons. These synaptic transmissions are responsible for thought formation and motor skills. With increased synaptic activity, your brain has no choice but to operate at a higher level.

As if the regeneration of neurons wasn’t enough to get you out of bed and into your running sneakers, I offer to you – Endorphins. Endorphins act as our body’s natural pain reliever and anti-depressant. During sustained strenuous activities, endorphins are released as a response to the discomfort one may experience. This gives us the mental edge that allows us to continue performing strenuous activities. The term endorphin originates from the short forms of the words endogenous and morphine (that’s right, morphine) – literally meaning “a morphine like substance originating from within the body.” These endorphins ultimately lead to a sense of happiness and well-being.

The effects of the endorphins can typically be felt after about 3 minutes of moderate jogging. Those first 3 minutes can feel like an eternity until the endophins kick in. Listening to uptempo music with your eyes closed (granted you’re on a treadmill) while focusing on your breath can get you through those first 3 minutes without you even breaking a sweat (figuratively speaking).

So, the next time your alarm clock goes off, reach for your running sneakers and skip the Snooze.

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