A Healthy Mind

Physical activity can help reduce stress, thereby providing improved mental and physical benefits. Some of the cognitive effects of exercise were explained in an April 3, 2011 article by Chris Dinesen Rogers at http://www.livestrong.com/article/414253-cognitive-effects-of-exercise/, which stated:

Improved Mental Function

Exercise can also improve your mental functioning. A 2007 study published in "Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport" found that overweight children who exercised regularly scored better on tests than children who did not exercise. These findings were further supported by a 2011 study by the Georgia Prevention Institute, which found that 40 minutes of daily exercise improved their intelligence scores on standardized tests. These findings provide compelling evidence for including physical activity as part of school programs.

Increased Creativity

In addition to learning ability, exercise can also affect your creative potential. A 2005 study by the University of Kentucky found that students who exercised prior to testing scored better on creative productivity than those who had not. Further, the study found that the effects persisted for two hours following exercise. This evidence suggests that the benefits of exercise may have long-term effects.