03/23/2026
Physical movement is a big brain boost!
Physical activity improves cognitive and mental health in all sorts of ways!
Exercise offers short-term boosts in cognition. Studies show that immediately after a bout of physical activity, people perform better on tests of working memory and other executive functions. This may be in part because movement increases the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, most notably epinephrine and norepinephrine.
The neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin are also released with exercise, which is thought to be one reason people often feel so good after going for a run or a long bike ride.
The brain benefits show up most significantly when people work out consistently over time.
Physical activity also benefits mood. People who work out regularly report having better mental health than people who are sedentary. And exercise programs can be effective at treating people’s depression, leading some psychiatrists and therapists to prescribe physical activity. 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week is a good benchmark.