Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain Quotes.

1. "At every level, from the microcellular to the psychological, exercise not only wards off the ill effects of chronic stress; it can also reverse them. Studies show that if researchers exercise rats that have been chronically stressed, that activity makes the hippocampus grow back to its preshriveled state. The mechanisms by which exercise changes how we think and feel are so much more effective than donuts, medicines, and wine. When you say you feel less stressed out after you go for a swim, or even a fast walk, you are."
- John J. Ratey, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

2. "Cognitive flexibility is an important executive function that reflects our ability to shift thinking and to produce a steady flow of creative thoughts and answers as opposed to a regurgitation of the usual responses. The trait correlates with high-performance levels in intellectually demanding jobs. So if you have an important afternoon brainstorming session scheduled, going for a short, intense run during lunchtime is a smart idea."
- John J. Ratey, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

3. "In order for man to succeed in life, God provided him with two means, education and physical activity. Not separately, one for the soul and the other for the body, but for the two together. With these two means, man can attain perfection. —Plato"
- John J. Ratey, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

4. "exercise is as effective as certain medications for treating anxiety and depression."
- John J. Ratey, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

6. "physical activity counts as novel experience, at least as far as the brain is concerned."
- John J. Ratey, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

7. "One of the prominent features of exercise, which is sometimes not appreciated in studies, is an improvement in the rate of learning,"
- John J. Ratey, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

8. "In the context of stress, the great paradox of the modern age may be that there is not more hardship, just more news—and too much of it. The 24/7 streaming torrent of tragedy and demands flashing at us from an array of digital displays keeps the amygdala flying."
- John J. Ratey, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

9. "From an evolutionary perspective, exercise tricks the brain into trying to maintain itself for survival despite the hormonal cues that it is aging."
- John J. Ratey, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

10. "we sometimes lose sight of the fact that the mind, brain, and body all influence one another. In addition to feeling good when you exercise, you feel good about yourself,"
- John J. Ratey, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

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