NO PAIN, NO BRAIN
Two headlines caught my eye this morning, both suggesting (strongly) that I get my butt in gear and work out. Not for the old fashioned reasons regarding my heart and what not. But to fire up my brain.
One report involved mice who were given a wheel to run on. Those who ran were decidedly better at recognizing spatial patterns. The researchers think that running caused the mouse brains to grow new neurons — brain cells — which added to the overall wattage of the mice.
The other involves human females. Those who lift weights, like the mice, have a faster, fitter brain.
That’s all well and good. What we really NEED scientists to study is why we don’t all work out. Why is it soooooo aversive, as they say, to put aside time every day to strive and sweat?
I like to think that part of my reticence involves the absurdly cruddy climate in which I live. Who ON EARTH wants to go out and play in this? (It’s currently 22, with a screeching North wind.)
And part of it stems from my personality. I rank sky-high in openness, a measure of a brain’s love of mental stimulation. The boredom that washes over me when I exercise indoors is insufferable. I truly cannot bear it. When I could run outside I had the same problem. I LOVED trail running, or running in a foreign city, where I never knew what was around the next corner. Running on a track was like pounding nails into my brain.
It’s Artwalk night in Portland tomorrow. My brain will exercise itself silly, analyzing the creative expressions from other brains. If only working the brain worked the body.
February 5th, 2010 saat: 2:35 am
I have an ametuer theory that Mr. and Mrs. Cro Magnon (a.k.a. “we”) evolved an instinct to preserve energy for things like hinting, gathering, fighting, flighting, and making babies…or practicing to do these things. When not doing these, it was better to rest whenever the chance presented itself.
I think a similar instinct told us to eat, eat, eat, and store fat for when times weren’t so good.
Instincts die hard, huh?
Anyway, I might be wrong, but it sure feels like those instincts are still with us.
February 5th, 2010 saat: 3:10 pm
I totally agree. That said, we are also likely “programmed” to get a thrill from exercise, which would have encouraged us to GO FORTH. Like any dimension of personality, this physically-active dimension varies between individuals, with some conserving their energy more than others.
February 13th, 2010 saat: 12:39 pm
Good point, Hannah…and what a thrill it can be…good to be reminded regularly of that, i find, cuz it’s “easier” to be lazier, and “conserve energy”.