Benefits of Exercise & Rest on Cognition

I love Dr Amy Shah, https://amymdwellness.com/, and here are some of her notes on Exercise & Cognition from her newsletter:

Regular exercise has been shown to boost brain function, with recent research from University College London suggesting that the cognitive benefits can last up to 24 hours, especially with moderate to vigorous activity. The study also found that sitting less and getting 6 or more hours of sleep—particularly REM and deep sleep—improves memory and attention the next day. While exercise is linked to better cognitive health and potentially lower dementia risk, the long-term effects on cognitive decline still need more research.

My take away from everything I've learned is that women lose muscle mass progressively after they turn 30. It takes extra work, extra protein in the diet, and enough sleep to maintain our strength as we age. So if you have a desk job, take several breaks to get in some squats, or find other ways to get a little more exercise into your day.

And don't forget the importance of recovery in terms of both physical and mental health. Give yourself the time and grace to get the rest and quality sleep that you need. For those of us who have issues with napping and sleeping I thought an image an expert sleeper might be helpful.

You don't have to "earn" your rest - it is one of your basic needs, Enjoy it!