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Add Cardio to Your Day

Your heart, lungs and brain will thank you

By

Staying Sharp

 
Updated April 21, 2023
Updated April 21, 2023
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Quick Win

Cardiovascular exercise has benefits for your heart, lungs, metabolism and even your brain.

Try This Today

  • Ride your bike. Strap on a helmet and take a spin around your neighborhood or a park.
  • Go for a walk. Take a stroll with your dog, invite a friend along or head out solo for some afternoon cardio and, if the sun’s shining, vitamin D.
  • Put on some music and dance. Dancing to your favorite song is a fun way to sneak in cardiovascular exercise.

Why

Cardiovascular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve your mental health and reduce your risk of certain ailments cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer and diabetes. It may also benefit your thinking skills and memory. According to AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health, purposeful exercise — brisk walking and cycling — provides benefits for brain health.

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Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

 

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