Not only does exercise make you look younger by improving your physical appearance, it also improves your mental dexterity and well-being.

When I’m stressed about something, I find that if I hit the gym or take a run, I am able to think more clearly. This helps me to see the issue from different perspectives and come up with different ways to solve an issue that in the beginning may have seemed hopeless. This is because exercise increases concentration of norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline), a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress.

Exercise also releases endorphins into the body. These “feel good” hormones are great for alleviating stress and boosting your overall mood.

There’s more… our brain’s cognitive decline begins at age 45, but exercise can prevent this degeneration by increasing production of cells in the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning. And the sooner you start exercising, the better!

Check out these articles for more info:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/27/mental-health-benefits-exercise_n_2956099.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/400102-how-to-naturally-increase-your-norepinephrine-and-serotonin/