Exercise boosts brain health, but some evidence suggests that even ordinary activities like dog walking or gardening can sharpen the mind. A recent study found that physical activity—no matter the intensity—can improve mental speed.

The study involved 90 healthy participants between the ages of 40 and 65. Using smartphones, participants reported their physical activity five times daily and completed brief cognitive tasks to measure mental speed and memory. The smartphones captured activity levels ranging from light chores to vigorous exercise and assessed how these influenced brain function in real-time.

The results indicated that being active within the previous 3.5 hours improved mental speed, equating to the cognitive function of someone four years younger. Both light and moderate-to-vigorous activities offered similar benefits. While memory accuracy did not improve, reaction times in memory tasks mirrored the gains in mental speed, especially in people who were more active overall.

These findings suggest that everyday physical activity can deliver immediate cognitive benefits, potentially offering a simple way to boost brain health at any intensity level. Learn more about the brain benefits of exercise in the Cognitive Enhancement Blueprint, a members-only perk.