Neuroplasticity refers to the human brain’s ability to change its functional and structural properties in order to adapt to change. Studies suggest that physical exercise can change the structure of the brain as well.

This finding is monumental to those suffering from low moods, dark thoughts, or unproductive rumination. With this research, we can conclude that exercise can facilitate the release of neurological chemicals that can help mediate symptoms of depression. 

Using exercise, we can enhance our brain’s ability to respond to new demands. Some studies even suggest that combining this with cognitive training can cause an enhancement of mind and body. We have seen significant changes with a maintained cardiovascular fitness routine. Let’s look at how exercise boosts your neuroplasticity and how that can help your distress. 

How Exercise Boosts Neuroplasticity

Since we’ve discussed how cardio is most effective, let’s look at it first. Cardiovascular exercises increase the heart rate, which sequentially gets more oxygen to the brain. This increased oxygen helps the release of hormones, which provides an ideal environment for the growth of new brain cells. Stimulating this growth also helps the brain create new connections between cells. Other ways that exercise helps improve brain function are listed below:

Movement is brain food

Exercise that increases blood flow to the brain allows the blood to deliver nutrients to the brain. The brain has what medical professionals call a high metabolic demand. This essentially means that the brain needs a lot of fuel, which makes sense considering how much work it does! Increased blood flow equals increased brain food equals a happier, healthier, more highly functional brain. 

Exercise improves memory

The fact is, our memory is only a fraction of our reality. Accessing memories and sharing them with others or writing them down can help solidify them in your mind. Exercise improves your memory’s strength and capacity. It does this by increasing something called synaptogenesis.

Synaptogenesis is the formation of new synapses in the brain. Synapses facilitate learning and memory and make it easier to absorb information and form long-term memories. What does this mean? When you exercise, you’re creating the capacity for an expanded and more reliable memory. 

Effort lowers the impact of stress

We all get stressed out – it’s part of the human condition. Although exercise is not a fix-all solution to stress, it lessens the impact of stressful experiences. When we exercise, we decrease the number of receptors in our hippocampus that respond to stress. This minimizes how much stress hormones produced by the brain can affect us. This is the chemical response commonly called “the runner’s high.” 

Why neuroplasticity helps depression

Neuroplasticity offers a chance at relief for those battling depression. Our brains remodel themselves based on our experiences, behavior, genes, and other factors. Think about the last skill you learned. Learning how to operate a new computer, a new cell phone, or how to play an instrument are all examples of times you’ve used neuroplasticity to your advantage. So how does this play into depression? 

Some research suggests that disorders like depression and anxiety actually damage the structures within the brain. But remember how exercise facilitates synaptogenesis? It also induces neurogenesis. Not only do exercises create an opportunity to rewire the synapses in our brains, but they also engineer new brain cells. 

As an example, reducing negative self-talk is a large part of battling sadness or dark thoughts. Neuroplasticity can help you retrain your brain from thinking, “I’m worthless,” to thinking, “I’m worth it.” Exercise, like running, walking, and yoga can help create these new neuropathways quicker. If you feel like you’re battling low moods, reach out to a professional therapist for treatment. Physical and cognitive exercises can help you recover, and the help of a certified therapist can give you the support you need. You can create change, in mind and body. Please reach out, I can help.