10: Why Exercise Is So Important For The ADHD Brain

Jan 14

We all know that exercise is good for us – but can exercise be used as medicine? You’ll love to hear about Tracy’s fitness routine and how she incorporates it into her day. What we often don’t think of is how exercise helps with focus, anxiety, mood, etc. It’s not just for looking great! Today, we are going to learn how exercise can help us feel better and start the day off right. Why does exercise make us feel better? Hear how Tracy speaks to the connection between exercise and psychological help from a medical standpoint.

Tracy shares the issues with our culture – sitting for long periods of time, eating crap, and how the first line of defense for mental health issues seems to be medication. Hear how exercise may benefit our mental health. The connections may surprise you! How does exercise help your brain? Tracy shares some fascinating facts you won’t want to miss. Tracy has made some great strides in her exercise over the years – but hear how her motivation changed from looking good to feeling good. Could exercise work better than medication for those with ADHD? Hear Tracy’s scientific explanation. How does exercise improve our ability to learn? Listen as Tracy uses a scientific study to show how extreme the results can truly be. You definitely won’t want to miss this. Hear how exercise primes the brain for learning and changes the brain’s neurotransmitters, protein growth, and neurogenesis. Hear how you can continue to grow your brain, all throughout your life. Should individuals with ADHD become karate masters? Learn how structured activities, such as martial arts, ballet, etc. help those with ADHD tap into their deep focus. Could exercise decrease the need for medication or get rid of the need altogether? Hear the science behind it all as Tracy explains how the chemistry in the brain can vastly change with exercise. Is exercise timing important? Hear Tracy’s discovery in her personal life, and through scientific research. Listen as Tracy explains the importance of nature, sleep, exercise, and balancing them all together. Can you even learn while you exercise? If you’re listening to this podcast in the gym, you may already be there! Tracy shares how nicotine can help us focus – but since it is very commonly known to be bad for us – Tracy shares how we can cut out nicotine, improve our focus, and live our best life for a long, long time.

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Quotes:

"When you exercise, guess what you are growing your brain." 
-  Tracy Otsuka

"Working out exercise is perhaps the most positive and efficient way to reduce hyperactivity and inattention from ADHD."
-  Tracy Otsuka

"Exercise on the other hand, increases and it balances all of these neurotransmitters perfectly in my body."
-  Tracy Otsuka

[00:00 - 08:00] Exercise's Impact on ADHD and Brain Health

  • Tracy emphasizes exercise's benefits for ADHD, including improved brain function and mood.
  • Tracy shares her personal experience with ADHD and how exercise helps her focus and motivation.
  • Tracy discusses how exercise increases and balances neurotransmitters in the ADHD brain, improving focus and reducing anxiety.

[08:00 - 15:05] The Impact of Exercise on ADHD Symptoms and Brain Function

  • Tracy discusses a program in Naperville, Illinois where high school students participate in a zero-period PE class before their academic reading class, resulting in improved reading and math scores.
  • The program's success is attributed to the exercise helping students reach their targeted heart rate zones, which puts their brains in the optimal position for learning.
  • Exercise boosts brain function in ADHD individuals by increasing neurotransmitters and promoting neurogenesis.

[15:05 - 25:10] Exercise, ADHD, and Brain Function

  • Tracy explains how highly structured exercises like ballet, martial arts, and skateboarding can help stimulate the brain and improve focus for individuals with ADHD.
  • Tracy recommends exercise for improving cognitive function and reducing ADHD symptoms, citing personal experience and research findings.
  • Tracy discusses the benefits of exercise for ADHD brains, including increased dopamine and lowered anxiety and stress.





Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.


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EPISODE #10

Hi, I'm Tracy

I teach Smart Ass ADHD women how to use their brilliant brains to build the life they want by embracing their too-muchness and focusing on their strengths.