Lisa Feldman Barrett is a distinguished professor of psychology at Northeastern University and author of the recently published “How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain.” In this video, the CrossFit Journal’s Andréa Maria Cecil sits down with Barrett to discuss the neuroscience behind “superaging” and what role exercise plays.
A superager, Barrett explains, is someone older than 60 who “has a memory that functions indistinguishably from (that of) a 25-year-old.”
The parts of the brain that regulate memories also contribute to emotional and physical health, Barrett says. The best thing you can do to improve your emotional health, she suggests, is improve your physical health: get enough sleep, exercise vigorously and eat well.
And, she notes, humans are social creatures, so working out in a group setting can also encourage healthy behavior. We help regulate each other’s nervous systems, Barrett explains, so exercising together can motivate people to make better choices.
Originally published – May 2017
Exercise: The Key to “Superaging”