https://www.newsweek.com/brain-changes-neuroscience-exercise-sleep-health-two-weeks-1965107 Newsweek logo * U.S. * World * Science * Health * Life * Rankings * Opinion * Entertainment * Fact Check * My Turn * Education * EventsSportsPodcastsBetter PlanetVaultMightierAutosNewsletters UnconventionalVantageExpertsVoices Subscribe for $1 Login x [ ] Subscribe for $1 Login * U.S. * World * Science * Health * Life * Rankings * Opinion * Entertainment * Fact Check * My Turn * Education * Events * Sports * Podcasts * Better Planet * Vault * Mightier * Autos * Newsletters * Unconventional * Vantage * Experts * Voices [ ] Share Copy Link Link copied to clipboard! Health * Neuroscience * Brain * Lifestyle * Exercise * Diet * Sleep Your Brain Changes Based on What You Did Two Weeks Ago Published Oct 08, 2024 at 2:00 PM EDT Updated Oct 09, 2024 at 8:39 AM EDT CLOSE X By Pandora Dewan Senior Science Reporter FOLLOW Share Copy Link Link copied to clipboard! Your behavior today could affect your brain activity in two weeks' time, new research suggests. These findings have significant implications for our mental health as well as our attention, cognition and memory. "The effect of your daily choices is not only reflected in today's brain connectivity," Ana Triana, a researcher at Aalto University in Finland and the study's lead author, told Newsweek. "Consistently making healthy choices in their daily lives can have a long-lasting positive effect on their mental health. These habits directly influence brain connectivity in regions associated with attention, memory, and cognitive function." Our behavior and our brains are intimately linked. And yet, the majority of studies only take a snapshot of our lived experience. "We know little about the response of brain functional connectivity to environmental, physiological, and behavioral changes on different timescales, from days to months," Triana said. Brain activity and lifestyle Stock images of a woman jogging (left), attempting to sleep (right) and a human brain (inset). Your lifestyle can affect your brain activity for weeks after the event, new research suggests. Stock images of a woman jogging (left), attempting to sleep (right) and a human brain (inset). Your lifestyle can affect your brain activity for weeks after the event, new research suggests. Ekaterina Chizhevskaya/dragana991/MilanMarkovic/Getty To investigate these effects, Triana and colleagues from Aalto University and the University of Oulu tracked their own brain activity and behavior over a five-month period using a combination of brain scans, wearable devices and their smartphones. "We studied their brain activity using fMRI [functional magnetic resonance imaging], their sleep and physical activity patterns using a smartring, their heart and respiration rates using a smartwatch, and their mood using questionnaires prompted on their smartphone," Triana said. "We instructed the person to continue with their life as they pleased, avoiding to think too much about the experiment. The combination of these methods gave us a much clearer picture of how daily habits shape brain function than brain scans alone." She added: "The use of wearable technology was crucial. Brain scans are useful tools, but a snapshot of someone lying still for half an hour can only show so much. Our brains do not work in isolation." Triana's brain was scanned twice a week, followed by qualitative data from mood surveys. Their findings have been published in the journal PLOS Biology. The team identified two distinct brain patterns in response to specific behaviors: a short-term wave lasting less than a week and a long-term wave lasting up to 15 days. The short-term wave was reflective of rapid responses to a behavior, like struggling to focus after a poor night's sleep. Meanwhile, the long-term wave suggests more gradual, lasting effects of a particular behavior. These were particularly apparent in areas of the brain tied to attention and memory. In other words, a workout or restless night from two weeks ago could still be affecting you--positively or negatively--today. While this study only shows the brain activity of one individual, the researchers hope that it demonstrates the importance of studying brain activity in the context of our wider lifestyle and behavior, rather than a single snapshot in the lab. "This research is important because it provides a more comprehensive and dynamic view of brain function, highlighting the lasting impact of everyday habits on brain health," Triana said. "This also helps us to provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of how brain connectivity fluctuates in response to various internal and external factors, underscoring its remarkable adaptability to daily life." The findings may also provide vital insights for studying mental-health problems in patients. "Linking brain activity with physiological and environmental data could revolutionize personalized healthcare, opening doors for earlier interventions and better outcomes," Triana said. But what does this mean for you? "Since this is an individual study, the findings might not be too generalizable," Triana said. "Nevertheless, I would say: take care of your daily routines! Consistent healthy habits, particularly those related to sleep, physical activity, and stress management, are crucial, and their effects on the brain extend far beyond the immediate aftermath of a single good night's rest or workout. So, it is not only about the big week, but also the weeks before the big week. "By making conscious choices that support our physical and mental well-being, we not only reap immediate benefits, but also contribute to a more resilient and efficiently functioning brain in the long run, at least in terms of days and weeks." Is there a health problem that's worrying you? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured in Newsweek. Reference Triana, A. M., Salmi, J., Hayward, N. M. E. A., Saramaki, J., & Glerean, E. (2024). Longitudinal single-subject neuroimaging study reveals effects of daily environmental, physiological, and lifestyle factors on functional brain connectivity. PLOS Biology. https:// doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002797 Request Reprint & Licensing Submit Correction View Editorial Guidelines About the writer Pandora Dewan FOLLOW Pandora Dewan is a Senior Science Reporter at Newsweek based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on science, health and technology. Pandora joined Newsweek in 2022 and previously worked as the Head of Content for the climate change education start-up, ClimateScience and as a Freelance writer for content creators such as Dr. Karan Rajan and Thoughty2. She is a graduate in Biological Sciences from the University of Oxford. Languages: English. You can get in touch with Pandora by emailing p.dewan@newsweek.com or on Twitter @dewanpandora. Pandora Dewan is a Senior Science Reporter at Newsweek based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on science, health ... Read more To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here. The Debate It's Time for U.S. To End Normal Trade Relations With China | Opinion By Mark A. DiPlacido [mark-dipla] VS [philip-pil] Tariffs Alone Won't Counter China and Rebuild U.S. Industry | Opinion By Philip Pilkington Premium Subscription Digital + Monthly Newsweek cover * Newsweek magazine delivered to your door * Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions * Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com * Comment on articles * Newsweek app updates on-the-go Subscribe now Newsweek cover * Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions * Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com * Comment on articles * Newsweek app updates on-the-go Subscribe now Top stories [harris-doi] Are Older Voters Kamala Harris' Secret Weapon? 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