A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Although I was only a child when that slogan hit the airwaves, as advertised by the United Negro College Fund, those words have resonated within me ever since. It is such a profound statement for all humans to know and to remember.
For me, those words speak louder today than ever before. Not because we, as a culture, have neglected our minds. Over the past three decades, we have made strides, continually advancing our educational system and learning options.
The Problem
Unfortunately, we’ve advanced our minds at the expense of our bodies; Americans have become extremely sedentary. As the body weakens, so too does the mind. Regardless of intellect, the mind cannot function optimally if the body is not healthy. Due to sedentary living, and poor eating habits, people have reached a point where their bodies are no longer functioning optimally.
Physical education programs have been scrapped or diminished in many public school systems, schools have closed off playing areas to the public, and families spend more time in front of their TVs or computers, and less time being active.
The consequences are grave and are clearly evident. With diminishing levels of physical activity, there is a corresponding increase in overweight and obesity rates, accompanied by increases in every related disease such as heart disease, diabetes and a variety of cancers. This is not just for adults, but children too. For the first time in our history as a nation, children will live shorter lives than their parents.
The biggest irony of all is that with diminished physical activity comes diminished mental (and emotional) wellness. Therefore, when we say “A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” we need to understand that a body is a terrible thing to waste, as well.
This is not a question of whether a physically active child is more or less intelligent than a sedentary child who spends all of his/her time reading and studying. The key is to understand that, regardless of intellect, a child who is physically active will have a higher mental capacity than if that same child is inactive. A weak body fatigues more quickly. When the body fatigues, so too does the mind.
The Solution
Regular physical activity and exercise lead to a host of benefits, including: increased blood flow to the brain, regenerating brain cells at a more rapid pace; increases in confidence and a sense of well-being, resulting from the activation of feel-good hormones; and, as a result of a stronger body, an improved capability of studying with increased clarity and for longer periods of time.
Physical activity needs to become more of a top priority. Get as actively involved in physical activity programs as possible.
Don’t just tell your children to be more active; be more active yourselves. If your children are very young, play with them. If they are at the awkward stage where they don’t want to be seen by their friends playing with you, then be a role model and get active, just the same.
Ultimately, you’ll reap the rewards of such a positive change in your lifestyle. Both your actions and the results you generate will send a powerful message to your children.
We all know the adage, a sound body for a sound mind. Let’s now consider it in other terms: a healthy body for a healthy mind. After all, the mind and body are interrelated. The sooner we take care of our bodies and our children’s bodies, the sooner we will improve on mental capabilities. Take time out each day to be active. Your life—as well as the lives of your children—depends on it.
Salvatore Fichera, MS, is an Exercise Physiologist. He is the author of the recently-released book, Stop Aging—Start Training. Reach him at 212-687-1646 or sal@forzafitness.com.
