Spark

Most of us grow up with a fuzzy notion that people who exercise regularly somehow have their lives together. They are disciplined, healthy, “good” people. Meanwhile, many of us remember nothing but unpleasant gym-class experiences and the feeling that exercise simply isn’t for us. We know that exercise is supposed to be good for us, but in the business of everyday life, it is often one of the first things to fall by the wayside. Maybe we should look at it differently. Exercise isn’t simply something we do to become fitter or change the way our bodies look. It can be a vital tool for navigating everyday life — from learning and concentration to managing stress, anxiety and depression, and even overcoming addiction. In Spark, psychiatrist John J. Ratey explores the relationship between exercise and the brain. He examines topics including depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, PMS, pregnancy, postpartum depression, aging, addiction, and learning, explaining how physical activity affects our brains and why movement can have such a profound impact on our mental and cognitive health. Reading this book helped me move beyond the vague idea that “exercise is good for you.” I now have a much better understanding of why it is good for us and, more importantly, how I can use it as a tool in my own day-to-day life. Spark changed the way I think about exercise. It made me see movement not as another chore on an endless list of things I “should” be doing, but as something that can actively help me live a healthier, more fulfilling life. A vital read for anyone who wants to better understand their brain — and the surprisingly powerful role exercise can play in taking care of it.