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Do an Upbeat Workout

A brief blast of exercise may lift your spirits

By

Staying Sharp

 
Updated April 20, 2023
Updated April 20, 2023
A man smiling and riding a bike
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Quick Win

Power walk, dance or swim. Getting your heart rate up for as little as 15 minutes a day may improve your mood — and get you closer to your weekly fitness goals.

Try This Today

  • Squeeze in a quick mood-boosting mini-workout. Hop on your bike, dance in your living room or speed walk like you’re on a mission.
  • Pace yourself. Move at a pace that works for your fitness level and your health. Talk with your doctor if you’re not sure.
  • Let the music move you. Up-tempo music can motivate you to keep dancing or walking!

Why

Regular physical activity is great for your overall health, and even short bouts can brighten your day. Brief aerobic workouts can give you a short-term mood lift, according to a 2017 report in Brain Plasticity. And listening to fast-paced music while you move may help you increase intensity (without feeling tired!).

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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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