Specialist encourage people in their older age to stay cognitively engaged for their cognitive health, but did you know that studies show your cognitively engaging activities could be one of your biggest keys to staying in shape physically?

If you’re entering older adulthood or simply striving to manage your weight effectively, you might be overlooking one crucial yet surprisingly effective factor: your brain. It’s true—research confirms that the brain is one of the biggest calorie burners in your body. Understanding and leveraging this, along with regular physical activity, can transform your approach to weight management.

Your Brain: The Calorie-Burning Machine

Did you know that your brain consumes a significant portion of your body’s energy? Despite making up only about 2% of your body weight, your brain uses roughly 20% of your body’s energy every day (Raichle & Gusnard, 2002). This high metabolic demand is primarily due to the brain’s ongoing activities, even when at rest.

“I Feel” vs. “I Think”: A Key Insight

Pay close attention to your daily expressions: do you frequently say, “I feel that…” instead of “I think that…”? This small linguistic habit might offer significant clues about your predominant mode of engaging with the world around you. Our feelings, while critical, don’t consume nearly as much energy as deliberate, focused thought.

Scientific evidence suggests that cognitive tasks involving complex thinking and problem-solving stimulate neural activity, thus increasing caloric expenditure (Magistretti & Allaman, 2015). Feelings, on the other hand, particularly superficial or unprocessed emotions, are comparatively less demanding on your brain’s resources.

Feelings: Essential but Secondary

This isn’t about dismissing emotions—far from it. Feelings play a crucial role in our lives, providing essential insights and depth to human experience. However, allowing superficial feelings to consistently override thoughtful reasoning isn’t merely inefficient; it can also negatively affect decision-making, relationships, and even physical health (Lerner et al., 2015).

Think of it this way: If feelings and thoughts were analogous to body fat and muscle tone, excess superficial feelings represent the “fat,” and rational thoughts coupled with insightful feelings represent the “muscle.” Both are vital, but an excess or “off-balance” of superficial feelings, unfiltered by thoughtful reflection, can weigh you down. Strengthening your mental muscle—your capacity for thoughtful problem-solving—is key.

 

 

Engage in Problem-Solving for Health and Weight Loss

Becoming a problem solver is not just mentally beneficial but physically advantageous too. Problem-solving activities stimulate extensive cognitive engagement, enhancing calorie burn and potentially aiding weight management goals (Chaput et al., 2009). Consider incorporating strategic thinking and cognitive challenges into your daily routine as part of your weight management strategy.

Here are practical ways to enhance your cognitive engagement:

  • Solve puzzles or brain games daily.
  • Regularly engage in strategic planning activities at work and home.
  • Approach recreational activities that challenge your mind, such as chess, Sudoku, or strategic video games.
  • Deliberately choose problem-solving approaches rather than emotionally-driven reactions in daily situations.

Setting Boundaries for Your Emotions

Establishing boundaries doesn’t mean suppressing your feelings; it means integrating them thoughtfully with your cognitive processes. Effective emotional boundaries can lead to healthier decision-making, improved relationships, and better physical outcomes (Gross, 2015).

Remember, the goal is balance. Embrace the interplay between thought and feeling, body-mind-soul-and-spirit, which is true thoughtfulness taking the driver’s seat more often than not.

The Mind-Body Connection in Older Adults

As you age, cognitive engagement becomes even more crucial. Numerous studies emphasize the importance of maintaining cognitive activities for preserving overall health and potentially enhancing longevity (Hertzog et al., 2008).

Final Thoughts: Think Your Way to Health

If you want to enhance your weight management outcomes, start by exercising your mind. Prioritize thoughtful engagement, cognitive challenges, and strategic problem-solving in your everyday life. By nurturing your brainpower, you’ll not only sharpen your mental acuity but also boost your physical wellness.

Ready to think your way into better health? Start today!

References

  • Chaput, J. P., Tremblay, A., & Pereira, B. (2009). “Mental work” stimulates caloric intake regardless of glucose levels: a randomized crossover trial. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71(3), 295-300.
  • Gross, J. J. (2015). Emotion regulation: Current status and future prospects. Psychological Inquiry, 26(1), 1-26.
  • Hertzog, C., Kramer, A. F., Wilson, R. S., & Lindenberger, U. (2008). Enrichment effects on adult cognitive development: Can the functional capacity of older adults be preserved and enhanced?. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(1), 1-65.
  • Lerner, J. S., Li, Y., Valdesolo, P., & Kassam, K. S. (2015). Emotion and decision making. Annual Review of Psychology, 66, 799-823.
  • Magistretti, P. J., & Allaman, I. (2015). A cellular perspective on brain energy metabolism and functional imaging. Neuron, 86(4), 883-901.
  • Raichle, M. E., & Gusnard, D. A. (2002). Appraising the brain’s energy budget. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 99(16), 10237-10239.