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Importantly, Suzuki emphasizes that one does not need to run marathons to reap these benefits. Moving your body—be it walking, dancing, or even vigorous cleaning—triggers the release of these neurochemicals. The key takeaway is that physical activity stimulates the brain in a way that can rapidly enhance mood and emotional health.
Long-Term Brain Benefits of Regular Exercise
While the short-term effects of exercise—such as mood elevation—are vital, Suzuki highlights the profound long-term impacts that regular physical activity can have on the brain. When performed consistently over weeks, months, or years, exercise stimulates the production of growth factors that promote neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to change and adapt.
Two critical brain areas benefit from this process: