Why Physical Exercise is good for brain health?

Did you know that there is a significant impact of your lifestyle and especially, physical activity on brain health? Sleeping well, having an active social life, getting adequate exercise - all of these lifestyle factors contribute to brain health. But they are not talked about enough in this context.

Studies suggest that people who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease¹. How? Think of the brain like any other muscle in your body. Exercise increases heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. It also aids the release of various hormones, all of which participate in aiding and providing a nourishing environment for the growth of brain cells. Exercise helps to grow new neuronal connections and improves blood flow which enhances learning, mood and memory to be fit and smart.

How your lifestyle affects your financial well-being and memory?
A sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits and high-stress levels - all of these have resulted in an early onset of memory-related illnesses like dementia and Alzheimer’s ². Hence,  it is imperative to weave healthy habits into your routine as over 4 million Indians are estimated to be affected by these illness. Also, stats show that India’s dementia and Alzheimer’s burden forecast to reach almost 7.5 million by the end of 2030. The nature of Alzheimer’s is such that it strikes at an age when you ideally think of leaving behind a legacy for your family, at the very least. Dementia of an older family member can be emotionally taxing on others in the family as well. And as far as the afflicted is concerned, the health care expenses can really drain all the savings. So, it is important to prepare yourself for the expenses that it may incur. Also, the treatment or care for someone with Alzheimer's is tricky because of the nature of the illness. Being able to afford health care facilities, accommodation and amenities could be lifesaving in such situation. To deal with medical emergencies in the future, you must have the financial cushion of health insurance embedded in your life insurance policy.

A health insurance plan placates the financial burden of such a diagnosis. Health insurance riders in life insurance policies are even more crucial because there’s no other way to ensure you can seek treatment or care in this financial scenario of double-digit inflation. Besides, if you want to leave your family with a parting gift or legacy, this is as close as it comes. PNB MetLife offers such a comprehensive cover for critical illnesses through riders. You can have the money to pay for the illness when you need it rather than after the treatment is over. This World Alzheimer’s Day, pledge to stay physically active, and to pre-empt any diagnosis, get a health insurance cover.

¹ Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0404.2010.01412.x
² Source: https://www.news18.com/news/india/memorys-last-breath-living-with-alzheimers-in-india-1827271.html

Whether you are trying to lose weight or making a shift towards a healthy life, understanding your BMI (Body Mass Index) is one of the first necessary steps you can make. The BMI calculator can indicate your body’s fat content based on your weight and height. Once you have a clear view of this, you can go through different health insurance plans on the PNB website and secure your future financially against the growing healthcare costs.