SCIENCE SAYS...EXERCISE CAN HELP IMPROVE MEMORY

We all know that exercise W delivers proven physical benefits. Most smart watches can tell us whether our endurance levels are improving. But what about the mental health benefits? These metrics have always been more anecdotal - and therefore harder to measure.

- George Winter

A 2023 review reports that "exercise enhances mood and self-esteem while decreasing stress tendencies, a factor known to aggravate mental and physical diseases... [and studies]... show that people who exercise regularly have a better frame of mind".

But there's one particular aspect of mental health that exercise can have a significant impact on - memory. Japanese researchers have investigated how moderate-intensity exercise can affect long-term memory (LTM). LTM is basically information that's held and retained for periods of time lasting from minutes to decades and is essential for daily functioning-whether that's passing a driving test or having a chat over a coffee.