When Life Beckons

Overhead Squat 5-5-5-3-3-3

400m Sled Drag 135/90
Then 2 Minutes of Each of the Following For Max Reps:
KB Swing 70/44
DB Thruster 45's/30's
Row For Cal

Are you someone who finds it difficult to find time for a workout when you get particularly busy at work or with studies?  If so consider that exercise can boost intellectual performance…and today I have empirical evidence to prove it (stepping away from the anecdotal crap that often spews from my rationale. 

A new study conducted in Ireland (I hear they're very reliable when they're not drinking Guiness) offers evidence that exercise boosts cognitive functioning and particularly memory due to increased levels of a protein known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which is known to promote the health of nerve cells.  Additionally, it seems that the increased levels of BDNF from exercise helps to delay the decay of performance on high skill tasks which tends to occur with age. 

When considering this along with the known relationship between exercise on damaging stress hormones and the ramifications on intellectual and physical health/performance it would seem to be both an easy/smart decision (though I know it doesn't always feel that way).  Consider this the next time life beckons and give yourselves a pat on the back for doing something good for yourself.