Yoga Asanas to Boost Cognitive Well-being and Emotional Functioning

A recent study by researchers from the University College London has revealed that physical activity, particularly moderate or vigorous exercise, can provide memory benefits for more than 24 hours. The study found that only one session of exercise could improve short-term memory for an extended period.

The researchers observed 76 people aged 50 to 83 who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity compared to their usual routine on a given day. These individuals performed better in memory tests the next day, with less sitting hours and more hours of deep sleep contributing to the improvement.

Moderate or vigorous activity can take many forms, including brisk walking, dancing, or walking up a few flights of stairs. The key is getting your heart rate up, regardless of whether it's structured exercise or not.

Lead author Dr Mikaela Bloomberg emphasized that the findings suggest physical activity may last beyond just a few hours after exercise, possibly even to the next day. Getting sufficient sleep, particularly deep sleep, seems to add to this memory improvement.

The study's unique design involved tracking participants' activities and cognitive tests over an eight-day period, making it one of the first to evaluate next-day cognitive performance using a "micro-longitudinal" approach.

The researchers' findings have been published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, and highlight the importance of physical activity in boosting not only our physical health but also our cognitive well-being and emotional functioning.