How Exercise can improve Cognitive Changes
Cognitive changes from cancer treatment can have an impact on your mental and physical health. This is can be caused by not being able to do the things you used to be able to do with ease. One way to manage your mental health and fight through cognitive changes is with exercise.
Exercise has been shown to combat your fatigue, improve your mood, reduce your anxiety and depression, and improve your overall physical well-being. While regular exercise has been known to improve cognition or your ability to think and reason.
All of these benefits are created when your blood flow increases to the brain, as you exercise. An increase in blood flow is not only extremely beneficial, it is essential. The blood flow delivers all the nutrients required to carry out the brain’s job. Receiving approximately 15% of the body’s entire supply of blood – despite being only 2-3% of our body’s total mass.
Nervous tissues found in the brain need a constant supply of oxygen to function and survive. They are responsible for coordinating and controlling many body activities like emotions, memories. The cells in nervous tissue that generate and conduct impulses are called neurons, which will become more active when exercising. This supports the development of new neurons by increasing the growth of new blood vessels. These new blood vessels improve the health and function of your brain by ensuring adequate blood supply is consistent.
Try these tips below
Exercising the Brain |
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Regular Exercise |
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Quick Exercise |
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Stretching |
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If you are struggling with exercise check out our blog on simple exercises for more help - How to Improve your Physical Health