Some people find joy and peace in meditation; for Anupam Kher, working out is akin to a spiritual practice. Taking to Instagram, the 71-year-old shared a video where he’s strength training, captioning his post: “The joy of seeing tiny new muscles mushrooming!🥹For me, working out is meditation!! A small triumph of the human spirit. Any age…any stage. Jai Ho!”

According to Dr M Narayana Swamy, Director, Neurosurgery, PSRI Hospital, exercise is often associated with heart health and weight management, but it is equally important for the brain.

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“Regular physical activity improves blood flow to the brain and supports memory, focus, and overall cognitive function. Even simple activities such as brisk walking for 30 minutes a day can provide long-term benefits for brain health,” he tells indianexpress.com.

 

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How does working out affect the brain?

Dr Shweta Sharma, clinical psychologist and founder, Mansa Global Foundation for Mental Health, adds that as anxiety is a result of overthinking, when your body and mind are indulged in other productive activities this overthinking automatically decreases due to distraction.

Exercise is a not just a distraction, but also helps the body to reduce muscle tension and increase blood flow.

“Working out has been proven to release endorphins in our brain, the feel-good chemicals that can help to fight chronic anxiety and its symptoms,” she says.

“Workouts also increases neurochemicals which are responsible for our happy emotions and you feel content. But that needs to be in a balanced manner,” she shares, adding that this doesn’t mean you get anxiety patients into hardcore exercises and higher fitness goals, otherwise it will create another related anxiety.

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Exercise also helps your body put a restraint on the release of stress hormones like cortisol. “Too much cortisol can make you feel anxious, but exercise keeps it in check,” she adds.