Somewhat counter-intuitively, an often overlooked aspect of overall fitness is brain health. Despite the obvious importance of this organ, many individuals disregard the necessity to actively keep it in good shape. A person need only ask one question: What DOESN’T your brain control or, at the very least, impact? Exactly.

A properly functioning brain means a properly functioning body, which can mean a properly functioning life. Put simply, the brain is the boss of the body; it controls just about everything one does. It affects mood, organ and muscle efficiency, and generally speaking, can make you better at whatever task you perform (not to mention nearly every other aspect of human biology, anatomy and physiology). Here are three things that could help keep this significant organ fit:

1. Get active for at least 30 minutes daily.

Regardless of the routine, consistency is paramount. Regular physical exercise promotes the efficient delivery of oxygen to the brain. This alone could improve cognitive abilities, reaction times, and memory.

2. Read more!

Recent studies have shown that reading not only promotes a person’s interests in their surrounding world and expands their cultural horizons, but it also provides some significant neurological benefits (e.g. it increases blood flow increased beyond typical brain function regions and into areas responsible for logic and problem-solving).

3. Feed the brain what it craves.

Vitamin B is essential to brain health. Consuming wholegrain cereals, leafy greens and dairy foods can be a great way to get this indispensable substance. Veggies are a great way to get the B vitamins you need.

Research is also showing that Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and are vital for proper cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral function. A natural health product can also be one of the best ways to supplement the diet that may be lacking in this vital nutrient.

Keeping a steady exercise regimen, having a good read, and getting the proper nutrition are all easy and affective ways to maintain the ever-so-important brain.

Your brain is hungry… So feed it what it craves with one simple dietary supplement!

It’s easier than you think to satisfy your child’s sweet tooth and get the benefits of extra dehydrated fruits and veggies!

Morning exercise can help us workout consistently, take care of our hearts, make us smarter and curb cravings. But who would’ve thought that it impacts sleep and energy. Here’s how it works.

More sleep:

It seems counter-intuitive to think that getting up early to work out would actually help us get more sleep. But this might actually be the case. Studies are pointing to the possibility that morning exercise may, in fact, improve your sleep habits, which, in turn, could help promote weight loss.

Those with the stick-to-itiveness to maintain morning exercise routines may really sleep better than those who don’t. According to Dr. Cedric Bryant, chief science officer with the American Council on Exercise, “if you have poor quality sleep, it influences certain hormones that control appetite. It is possible that by exercising in the morning — instead of evening – the exercise affects the body’s circadian rhythm (your internal body clock) so you get better-quality sleep. Good sleep helps control the hormonal balance that helps control appetite.”

Researchers have known for years that adults who get less than five or six hours of sleep per night are more likely to be overweight. And a recent study found that “losing just a few hours of sleep a few nights in a row can lead to almost immediate weight gain.”

On top of all of this, cognitive abilities like creativity, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and memory could be greatly compromised by lack of sleep. So get up, get moving… and get more sleep!

More energy:

Last but not certainly not least, early-in-the-day workouts could give you the energy to help you through even the busiest days.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic claim that “regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance… deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy.” This increase in energy is due to the fact that physical fitness promotes the release of compounds like endorphins that improve mood and increase vigor.

So get up early and get moving! It will improve your life in more ways than one.