4. Keep your brain brawny
The average brain shrinks by approximately five percent every decade after the age of 40; but aerobic exercise significantly helps maintain volume. "When you exercise you produce a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which may help to prevent age-related decline by reducing the deterioration of the brain," says Joseph Firt, author of a study on the subject. In this study, exercise included stationary cycling, walking, and running on a treadmill, two to five times a week, for durations ranging from three to 24 months. Along with improving regular healthy aging, exercise has implications for the prevention of aging-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia. Read more here: Exercise keeps the brain from shrinking as we age
