Your Brain and Exercise
Did you know your brain loves exercise just as much as your body does?
When you move, your brain responds by producing dopamine and serotonin—the feel-good chemicals that boost mood and reduce anxiety. But that’s just the beginning. The right kind of exercise can do something even more powerful:
It helps your brain grow.
Yes, literally.
Certain types of movement stimulate a protein called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)—a key player in learning, memory, and brain cell formation.
🧠 What Kind of Exercise Builds Brainpower?
Fast, skill-based movements like:
Body combat
Karate or boxing
Jazzercise
Technique-driven weightlifting
These workouts challenge both the body and mind. Think about it—when you’re moving fast and thinking quickly (“What’s the next move?” or “Where does my foot go?”), your brain is forced to adapt and grow. That’s how new neural pathways are formed.
This is why neurologists often recommend boxing for people with Parkinson’s. The combination of punching and footwork boosts BDNF production, which enhances balance, coordination, and motor control—even helping to reduce stiffness and tremors.
And here’s the best part:
These benefits aren’t limited to those with illness. Anyone, at any age, can train their brain and body to stay sharp well into their 90s.
Move Your Body, Sharpen Your Mind
High-Intensity Training (HIIT) or fast-paced movement combined with thinking-based tasks is the brain’s best friend.
Not only will you improve endurance and strength, but you’ll also enhance:
Reaction time
Mental clarity
Emotional resilience
Overall cognitive health
🔧 Want to Move Better, Think Sharper, and Feel Younger?
At Selina’s Therapy Center, we combine:
Functional movement training
Postural correction
Massage and mobility therapy
...to support both physical vitality and mental sharpness.
Whether you’re looking to increase your performance, slow age-related decline, or support brain health, we’re here to help you move smarter, feel better, and live fully.
📞 Book your movement therapy session today
📍Pacific Grove, CA
📱 831-204-0820
