Mens sana in corpore sano. This latin phrase, meaning a sound mind in a sound body, lies at the heart of this blog. Living an active lifestyle has profound benefits on both our mental and cognitive health. These benefits range from treating stress and depression, to reducing risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, to enhancing focus and improving mood. These benefits include the immediate feel-good effects after a jog around the block, to long-term structural and functional changes in the brain. The effects of exercise extend far beyond the elusive runners high or mere anecdotal testimonies from friends. The best part is these benefits start by simply getting up and moving. No marathon or Ironman training required. Our bodies are simply designed to move, and our minds depend on this movement to function at their best.
‘‘On order for man to succeed in life, god provided him with two means, education and physical activity. Not separately, one for the soul and the other for the body but for the two together. With these two means, men can attain perfection.’’ – Plato, 4th century BC
I'm a professor of anatomy & physiology and a PhD candidate studying the effects of exercise on cognition. Preaching what I practice, you can usually find me running trails in beautiful Colorado. I’m a passionate proponent of the mind-body connection, and love spreading current understanding in the field to a broader audience. Thanks for reading!
Exercise On The Mind 
Love the blog Jess, keep at it!