The benefits of exercising are well-known. However, not many know that it can also boost your memory and brain power. And that is the reason you should take a 20-minutes walk or play a game for 20 minutes before every exam. It will activate your brain and the ability to recall, thus helping you score better. 

Research conducted by Dr. Chuck Hillman of the University of Illinois concludes that about 20 minutes exercise before an exam can improve performance. "As little as 20 minutes of exercise can lead to better cognition and memory, and higher scores on tests and examinations," it said. 

Researchers scanned the brains of 9 and 10-year-olds-half of whom engaged in aerobic exercise like running and playing, and half who sat quietly prior to writing a test. It was found that the active children fared better on the exam. The MR images also showed the difference between active and non-active children; the brains of the active children were significantly active. It showed more activity in the basal ganglila region of the brain, an area of the brain described as an 'executive control' centre, responsible for coordinating thoughts and actions. 

"The findings suggest that increased childhood aerobic fitness is associated with greater dorsal striatal volumes and that this is related to enhanced cognitive control. Because children are becoming increasingly overweight, unhealthy and unfit, understanding the neurocognitive benefits of an active lifestyle during childhood has important public health and educational implications," said the study. 

You would have always been told that anxiety is not a good thing. However, stress, when harnessed properly, can have numerous benefits for the body and mind. If you define stress as anything that alters our homeostasis, for good or for bad, then good stress, in its many forms, is vital for a healthy life. In fact, there actually are a few ways that stress, in moderation, can help you on an everyday basis. 

There was an interesting experiment conducted at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya in Israel. Participants were asked to analyse artwork presented by a software programme and then triggered a fake computer virus. They made it look like the virus was a result of something that the participant did. They then sent the participants on an urgent mission to get tech support and also gave many other hindrances. They found that the most anxious participants were the most effective at executing tasks. 

So, taking stress a day before exam is fine. However, minutes before your exam you should quickly destress to perform better. And nothing helps better than a quick walk. 

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