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Today is a day you should exercise. It can help your brain.

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Have you ever noticed how focused runners and cyclists are when they are out on the road? There's a reason. Most weren't born focused. These amateurs and professionals became more focused and sharp as they developed their physical capabilities. You can do the same thing. You just have to start.

Your brain and body are wonderful, dynamic "works" of art. While genes can certainly influence the direction of your health, you were built with a capacity to heal, adapt, and grow.

It may help motivate you to get started or do more, if you knew how much exercise benefits your brain--especially if you have had "chemo brain."

Neurogenesis, for example, is one of the brain's "safety nets." You may have chemo brain (or have had it), as I did. But it isn't a death sentence for your mental skills. Neurogenesis is the brain's ability to grow new cells. These begin as stem cells (a bit like "blank slates" or highly adaptive cells) which can evolve into a variety of forms to support your daily functioning. Research has shown that exercise, even to advanced age, stimulates the grow of these cells.

Neuroplasticity is the characteristic of rearranging cells more efficiently, or rewiring the pathways, to meet the daily demands of life.

Exercise can improve mood by activating the release of endorphons. If all this science detracts from the experience for you, just ignore and work your body. Your brain will respond.

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