For some people, waking up is hard to do. While some early birds can hop out of bed ready to face the day the instant they wake up, others need caffeine before they can function or have to hit snooze five times before they get going. But new research out of Australia finds that we could all benefit from adding some morning exercise to our routine.
According to a new study, working out in the morning has benefits including thinking more clearly and better decision-making later in the day. Researchers followed a group of adults between 55 and 80 with “relatively normal cognitive function” and tested their concentration, decision-making, and short-term memory multiple times during the process. They found that a little morning exercise - just 30 minutes of moderate walking - helped boost their memory and thinking for the day. When they added in a couple of walking breaks during the day, that added a boost to short term memory as well.
"This study highlights how relatively simple changes to your daily routine could have a significant benefit to your cognitive health,” study co-author Michael Wheeler explains in a statement. “It also reveals that one day we may be able to do specific types of exercise to enhance specific cognitive skills such as memory or learning."
Source: Bustle