logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
1h 12m

The Neuroscience Of Exercise | Wendy Suz...

10% Happier
About this episode

What exercise does to your brain—and how to actually do it regularly.

 

Wendy Suzuki is a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology at New York University, where she is also the first Asian-American Dean of the College of Arts and Science. She is the author of two books, Good Anxiety and Healthy Brain, Happy Life.

 

This episode is part of our monthlong Do Life Better series.

 

We talk about:

  • How exercise not only enhances cognitive function but also protects against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. 
  • The difference between cardio and strength training
  • Whether it matters if you track your steps
  • How to sustain your motivation to exercise
  • And practical tips on how to start, restart or increase an exercise habit
  • We also talk about the brain benefits of sleep, meditation, and healthy eating (with a detour into ways to counteract the potentially unhealthy obsession with being healthy)
  • And finally, we talk about the counterintuitive benefits of anxiety

 

Related Episodes:

 

Sign up for Dan’s newsletter here

Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok

Ten Percent Happier online bookstore

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes

 

 

Full Shownotes: https://www.meditatehappier.com/podcast/tph/wendy-suzuki-888

 

Up next
Today
How To Find Calm in a World on Fire | Pico Iyer
The antidote to a noisy, chaotic world. Pico Iyer is the acclaimed and bestselling author of more than a dozen books translated into twenty-three languages, most recently the nationally bestselling Aflame: Learning from Silence. In this episode we talk about: Why and how Pico fou ... Show More
1h 9m
Oct 6
Are You a Grudge Holder or a Revenge Seeker? Here’s How It’s Hurting You – And How To Get Over It | James Kimmel, Jr.
The psychology and neuroscience of revenge. James Kimmel, Jr. is a lecturer in psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, an expert on revenge, a lawyer, and the founder and co-director of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies. He is the creator of The Nonjustice Syst ... Show More
1h 11m
Oct 5
Sebene Selassie On: Resiliency, Rewriting Your Patterns and Finding a Teacher Who Speaks to You
We’re in the midst of an exciting evolution of the overall 10% Happier project. In our quest to make this podcast more actionable – to help you operationalize all the game-changing ideas you encounter on this pod – we’re now offering guided meditations to accompany each full epis ... Show More
24m 15s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
266: The Science of Neuroplasticity: Awakening Your Brain’s Potential with Dr. Wendy Suzuki
In this episode, we explore brain health and neuroplasticity, focusing on how adults can enhance their cognitive abilities. The conversation highlights the connection between physical activity and brain function, offering practical exercises for well-being. We also cover transfor ... Show More
57m 15s
Feb 2025
The truth behind memory loss - and how to stop it with exercise | Dr. Wendy Suzuki
We spend so much time focusing on how exercise changes our bodies - burning calories, building muscle, shedding fat. What if the most important transformation is happening where you can’t see it? Hidden inside your skull, your brain is changing with every step, squat, and sprint. ... Show More
1h 8m
Mar 2025
How Exercise Changes Your Brain & Why Anxiety Is Your Superpower with Dr Wendy Suzuki (re-release) #533
Every morning, my guest on this week’s episode starts her day with 30-minutes of exercise. She knows – from personal experience backed by scientific research – that this makes her more focused, happy, motivated, and even creative. She knows it’ll help her grow new brain cells and ... Show More
1h 30m
Oct 2024
Change Your Brain: #1 Neuroscientist’s Exercise Protocol for Peak Energy and Focus
This episode will change your brain forever.World-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki is here to share new research around the brain-changing benefits of exercise. Dr. Suzuki is the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at New York University and is a leading researcher k ... Show More
1h 6m
Mar 2025
Wendy Suzuki: 2 Powerful Tools To Use When You Feel Stressed Out (This Will Lower Your Anxiety in 1 Minute)
What’s one thing that’s been stressing you out lately? Have you noticed any physical signs of stress in your body? Today, Jay with renowned neuroscientist, professor, and author Dr. Wendy Suzuki to explore the science of anxiety, stress, and resilience. Wendy is the author of Goo ... Show More
1h 25m
Feb 2025
How To Protect & Enhance Your Brain Health: The Simple Daily Habits That Can Transform Your Mental Performance with Louisa Nicola #522
Do you think that it’s inevitable that the function of your brain will decline as you get older? Or, do you believe that there are simple things you can do each day to preserve, protect and enhance it? Today’s guest is neurophysiologist and brain health researcher, Louisa Nicola. ... Show More
2h 10m
Apr 2024
How to Strengthen Your Decision-Making Muscle & Rewire Your Brain to Feel More Confident & Grateful | Liz Moody
Ep 112. Are you over all of the gimmicky, expensive tools in the health space right now? Do you want to go deeper to address foundational topics related to the things that actually impact your quality of life – like healthier communication, better confidence, and rewiring your br ... Show More
1h 2m
Sep 2024
Natural Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's and Boost Brain Health with Dr. Heather Sandison : 1199
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dave Asprey and Dr. Heather Sandison discuss actionable strategies for optimizing brain health and longevity. Dr. Sandison explains how lifestyle changes, including diet, oral hygiene, and sleep, can help prevent cognitive decline. She also s ... Show More
1h 2m
Mar 2025
Ep 289 From Dentist to Coach: How NLP & Hypnosis Cleared Shame, Boosted Motivation & Transformed Her Life
Have you ever felt like life was just happening to you, leaving you stuck in a cycle of giving to others while losing sight of yourself? What if years of people-pleasing and pushing through left you drained and holding a lot of stress, with no clear sense of what you truly want? ... Show More
32m 15s
Feb 2025
Dr Andrew Huberman: The One Daily Practice Everyone Should Do, Training Your Brain and Reducing Anxiety (re-release) #524
CAUTION: Contains themes of an adult nature. If I told you there was a simple, free habit you could take up to optimise your health in just five to 10 minutes a day, would you be up for trying it? If the answer’s yes, then you’re going to love today’s guest, a brilliant science c ... Show More
1h 57m