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Updated April 19, 2023
While watching your favorite show, use the commercial breaks to improve your fitness. If you’re streaming, hit pause every 10 or 15 minutes.
Splicing in short bouts of exercise during sedentary activities is a simple way to move more, sit less and improve your fitness. Regular physical activity is good for overall health, including brain health. Clinical studies have shown that regular exercise may lead to beneficial changes in the brain’s structure and functioning, according to a 2016 report from AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health, “The Brain–Body Connection.” In a 2019 review published in Genes, researchers explored studies showing that muscle contraction during physical activity triggers the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that have positive effects on the brain. National guidelines advise doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two strength training sessions per week. Start where you are and work your way up!
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