Boost Your Brainpower!

Working out doesn't just do your body good, it appears to keep you mentally fit as well! According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, you can boost your brainpower just by staying active. To test their hypothesis, the researchers split a group of mice into two categories: one group was encouraged to be "couch potatoes," while the other was encouraged to stay physically active. In the end, the fit mice had retained 13 percent more brainpower than the sedentary group.

While the researchers couldn't say exactly why this happens, they found that exercise actually appears to encourage new neurons to grow, and new brain cells equals more brainpower.

To maximize the effect, the researchers recommend that you also get plenty of "mental" gymnastics throughout your life, by doing crossword puzzles, taking classes, reading, and seeking out other mentally challenging experiences.