10 Mind-Blowing Effects of Exercise on Your Gray Matter

5. Better Quality Of Sleep

Thirty-five to forty percent of adults in the United States claim to have issues with falling asleep or daytime sleepiness. However, one can achieve a better quality of sleep if they begin a regular exercise routine. A national study composed of over 2,600 men and women over the age of eighteen, determined 150 minutes of exercise each week presented a sixty-five percent improvement in the quality of sleep. Similarly, 150 minutes of exercise gave the individuals more energy throughout their day and increased alertness. As little as ten minutes of aerobic workouts each day, like cycling or walking can drastically improve the quality of sleep.

6. Enhances Creative Thinking

Stuck in a mental rut? A brisk walk or light workout might be the spark your brain needs. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise enhances divergent thinking—the kind of free-flowing, out-of-the-box thinking essential for creativity. Unlike logic-based problem-solving, creativity thrives on flexible, open neural pathways, which physical activity helps stimulate by boosting oxygen flow and increasing dopamine levels. In fact, researchers from Stanford University found that walking can increase creative output by up to 60%. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas or facing writer’s block, movement can help you access insights your desk can’t. Creativity, it turns out, is just a few steps away.