Tips on Writing a Resume Statement

Tips on Writing a Resume StatementA resume statement is an important component of a resume. A resume statement is a short summary of the applicant's educational background, professional experience, and most importantly of all, his or her ability to perform the duties described on the resume. There are several forms and styles to make your resume statement standout from the rest.We all know that a good resume is just as important as the contents of the resume itself. A good resume shows how much the candidate has accomplished in his or her career and what special skills he or she has acquired over the years. It should be short, yet powerful and intelligent. The very first thing you should do when you create your resume is to decide what content to include on it.Then, you need to determine which information from your curriculum vitae (CV) will best showcase you. If you have not completed the resume yet, you need to do so first. The content must match the job description of the job you want. Your resume statement needs to add in certain lines that you will not forget as you read through your resume. You may choose to focus on job responsibilities you have already accomplished, achievements in other careers or your professional interests.Some people like to emphasize their personal details or experiences. By doing so, it will show that they have special qualities. Do not include too much in your resume statement as it can make it difficult for your employer to keep track of you. Do not simply say that you worked for XYZ Company for 2 years or something similar.Most employers do not want to hear about other jobs you might have had because this can mislead the reader. Even if it does not make sense, it can put you at a disadvantage by causing them to think that you do not have enough knowledge about the job. Another mistake is to describe yourself as someone who is self-motivated.When you consider the experience or education you have obtained over the years, you shou ld include them in your resume statement to increase your chances of being considered for a specific position in a different career fields. If you have specific skills that are related to the position, then use them to set a great example.Many employers prefer to see a sample of a resume before interviewing anyone. If you do not have one yet, you can start by putting together a resume as written by someone else. This will help you give the reader a sample of the resume without any extra words or information.

Oil Prices Cause Students to Dump Petroleum Engineering Major

Oil Prices Cause Students to Dump Petroleum Engineering Major In 2011, petroleum engineering topped the list of highest-earning college majors, with graduates earning median incomes of $120,000. Now that oil has lost more than half its value in the past two years and oil jobs have dried up, however, students are abandoning petroleum engineering in favor of career paths they hope will be better prospects in today’s economy. In the 2015-2016 year, the total number of students majoring in petroleum engineering at the University of Oklahoma fell by 20%, the International Business Times reports. The petroleum engineering program at the University of Texasâ€"the top ranked program in the country according to U.S. News and World Reportâ€"got fewer than half the freshman applicants to its program for the current academic year than normal. According to NPR, students in petroleum programs at Penn State, Marietta College, Texas AM, and other colleges are down as well. Incoming students are reacting to the stark economic reality that the oil and gas sector has seen a huge slump in profitability in recent years, as a glut of oil on the international market has overwhelmed demand and caused prices to tank. The oil and gas industry in the U.S. slashed roughly 100,000 jobs between October 2014 and January this year. Oil prices have appeared to stabilize in recent months and major oil producers are getting organized in an effort to stop prices from falling further and perhaps boost them. This means job prospects could improve, but that may not be enough, in the short term at least, to bring back students spooked by oil’s shocking price plummet. Read next: STEM Majors Will Earn Highest Starting Salaries This Year “The job situation has changed radically,” Tom Edgar, director of the Energy Institute at UT-Austin, told the IBT. “When companies are laying off people, they’re not hiring the graduates. It’s pretty clear that that’s one of the early signs of stress in the situation.”

Challenge Take 1-Hour To Declutter Your House - Work It Daily

Challenge Take 1-Hour To Declutter Your House - Work It Daily Today’s Work It Daily Challenge is to take 1-hour to declutter your house. You might not realize it, but letting clutter accumulate in your home can actually hurt your performance at work. It can also hold you back from getting a job. While having a messy house isn’t might not directly connect with your career troubles, it could be indirectly affecting your success rate (or lack thereof one). Unfortunately, clutter can stunt your productivity, increase your stress levels, and kill your motivation. And all of these things can negatively impact your attitude and work performance. When you’re surrounded by disarray at home, those unsettling feelings can seep into other areas of your life - like your work or job search. That’s why today’s challenge is to take at least one hour to declutter your house (or office!). We want you to make it a habit of cleaning up unnecessary things in your life so you can be as efficient and happy as possible. There are so many benefits of getting organized. In fact, taking the time to declutter your house can actually help you: Reduce stress and depression Boost your productivity Sleep better And who doesn’t want those things?! Whether you’re stuck in a career rut or dealing with a frustrating job search, taking a little time to get organized can really help your overall attitude, mood, and perspective. (All of which can help you be a better employee or job search more effectively!) Don’t let clutter keep you from being being successful and happy. Life is too short for unnecessary messes, don’t you think? How do you declutter your house? What are your tips? Tell us! Related Posts: Challenge: Perform One Random Act Of Kindness Today Challenge: Wake Up 30 Minutes Earlier Challenge: Read Something Inspirational Or Educational For 30 Minutes   Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Leadership Training 10 Signs Its Failing at Your Company

Leadership Training 10 Signs Its Failing at Your Company Have you ever been confused by the direction of your company or questioned how the leaders handle certain situations like coaching or business development? Well, its probably because the leadership training is failing, and it is affecting you and other people. Although companies believe they are improving their kollektivs skills through effective leadership, it is obvious when the quality of training is poor. Everyone in the organization feels it, though sometimes, leadershipand management may be unable to recognize when their initiatives arent working.So, how do you know when the leadership training program at your company is failing? Here are 10 signs that you need to reassess leadership development at your company.Ten signs leadership development isnt working1. Inconsistent messagingWhen messaging from the leadership team is all over the place, there is clearly a problem. This means that there is no clear direction coming fr om the top. It may seem like everyone is making his or her own rules and paths. This can be confusing for employees, especially when they compare notes, and no one seems to be on the same page.2. No directionIf you notice knee jerk-reactions, directional changes every few months, and indecisiveness, it is clear that leadership and management arent finding a cohesive balance. Think of a scene from the Three Stooges, in which the title characters bumble around not knowing which way is up. If the leaders at your company are behaving the same way with their work and direction, the training programor lackthereofmay be failing.3. Lack of leadershipYou may ask your manager for advice or input on what to do on a project but have a hard time getting an answer, receive a vague response, or get no response at all. This means she is not being guided on how to manage, and she may feel lost herself. This can have an impact on an employee regarding growth and ultimately causes a loss of respect fo r the leader and management as a whole.4. No progression of successionIf you see a lack of succession planning, it isnt a good sign. This means that the management team isnt planning on bringing others into their fold, nor are they vetting anyone to further their success. This could be an indicator that your career could be stalled, since there may be no movement or consideration of your skills and ability to move into leadership roles.5. Going old schoolYour company uses an old leadership training program, perhaps something from the late 80s, and wont deviate from it. This shows an inability to be flexible and move with the changing tide. When this occurs, it is typically because the leaders are not adding fresh talent to the team, which stalls the companys progress and ability to adapt.6. No management training at allBelieve it or not, some companies have no management training at all. This can be destructive to a team and company, because the people who advance into leadership po sitions arent being taught how to manage and coach their employees. Employees will feel the brunt of this, because their bosses often lack leadership skills necessary to aid the development of their workers.7. High turnoverWhen there is a higher rate of management turnover, it means that managers arent getting what they need from higher ups. If managers leave, it is typically an indicator of being unsettled and frustrated, while means that the entire team or company may lack sufficient coaching and support for employees.8. No filterMost good managers can keep their cool and remain professional throughout the toughest of times. But, when their filter comes off, and they share every negative thought about the company with you, this means they no longer feel responsible to the powers that be, nor do they feel the need to protect their team.Even the best of managers can fall into the no filter zone if they are not being guided.9. Emergency meetingsHow many times has your manager had an emergency leadership meeting? He will change around his entire week and schedule to accommodate whatever is coming down the company pipeline. When you see this happen, it usually means the leaders dont have everyone in sync and are rushing to fit a square peg into a round hole. If a company has it together, there will be far less scrambling.10. Panic modeYou may notice that instead of functioning proactively, the management team is functioning reactively. It may seem like every step of communication is a knee-jerk reaction to something they cant handle, which results in a lot of blaming of others. Welcome to panic mode. This has a negative effect on leadership and spreads peripherally to other employees.The bottom lineLack of leadership training is unfortunate, since it affects more than just the leadership team. It affects everyone. Just be aware when it is happening, so that you, as an employee or manager yourself, can make your own judgment call...and perhaps manage yourself into a different situation.--Holly Caplan is an award-winning manager and author of Surviving the Dick Clique A Girls Guide to Surviving the Male Dominated Corporate World. For more information, please visit,www.hollycaplan.com.

The Most Popular Writing a Resume for Someone with No Experience

The Most Popular Writing a Resume for Someone with No Experience The Demise of Writing a Resume for Someone with No Experience Your objective statement should incorporate information employers wish to learn about your targets. At exactly the same time, it does not necessarily mean youve got no abilities and individual achievements. Its fast and simple to use. Resumes give potential employers a means to learn about applicants quickly and readily, and theyre your very first step toward new job opportunities. ur resume builder makes it simple to create a well-written resume in a few minutes. Theres no need to fear the dearth of qualified experience on your resume. If a person refuses your resume, it doesnt always indicate that youre bad at what you do. Though you might not have a work history or lengthy collection of impressive degrees, you can definitely find something to include. Even if one isnt required, its generally an excellent idea to send a brief cover letter togeth er with your resume. Whilst you write your summary for your resume, attempt to think of what you want them to discuss with you, and what exactly you desire an opportunity to discuss. Write your resume to the company (make for them sure youre the perfect candidate by highlighting the qualities they are searching for) It is extremely important to receive noticed with your CV and to stick out from different participants. You may be a great team player. You could stick to the guidelines offered in the job resume template here and produce your own resume. So as to use a resume to compose a CV, it is crucial to acquire several examples that possess the relevant particulars. Resume examples and templates are incredibly helpful, especially when youre writing one of your initial resumes. So you merely graduated high school or college and youre ready to go into the workforce to develop into a productive member of society. Now you need to know how to compose a resume with no experien ce thats compelling and distinctive, ideal for a high school resume or a beginners resume for teens. When it might seem a small premature, its very important to students to create good social networking habits from the get-go. There are an assortment of student and teacher resumes here to pick from. The Rise of Writing a Resume for Someone with No Experience Learning how to do a resume when dont have any work experience is quite a bit easier if youre able to demonstrate some seasonal or short-term work experience. You may also have a skills section in which you list soft skills in addition to any programs, languages, or certifications youve got. Building a resume can be a difficult task especially if youve got no prior work experience. Rather, the aim of the career objective is to showcase your abilities and abilities that can help you to successfully fulfill the responsibilities of the position. With just a little creativity and some thought about your top abilities, you will find a wonderful position and commence your work history. You will need experience to have a job but you want a job to acquire experience. Even in the event youve never held an official job, its leise true that you have life experience thats applicable to the work search. Thus, when you sit down to compose your first resume, attempt to consider your prior jobs in a new light. Most Noticeable Writing a Resume for Someone with No Experience Your beginning has to be personal. The majority of people desire as a way to allow any boss fully understand basically how handy all the proficiency together with qualifying measures really are only for the true supplier. Now its time to produce your first resume. Regardless of that perhaps becauseof that the majority of people dont be worried about their resumes until its actually time to begin applying.

Get the Scoop on Skills and Qualifications for Resume Before Youre Too Late

Get the Scoop on Skills and Qualifications for Resume Before Youre Too Late Sales and referrals are lost all of the time because an automobile salesman isnt readily available for a telephone call or showroom customer. The aforementioned automobile salesman skills may also be considered personality traits or habits, but when you have mastered and adjusted them for the work of selling cars your sales and commissions increase exponentially. You should listen very closely to your customer since they will explain to you how to sell them a vehicle, but if you dont listen closely you will just create another Be-Back. Contemporary business is about change. Type of Skills and Qualifications for Resume Experience Gaining previous experience is important if you wish to develop into a music teacher. Experience and understanding CFOs want the experience which will help them lead a corporation in the appropriate direction. Continuing education is the ideal approach to stay updated on th e best practices in your preferred career. Its possible to go on to additional education, training or employment, or you could go on to university. A wide selection of vocational qualifications incorporate the competence-based National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) which can be taken on the job, college, or as an element of an Apprenticeship. Besides formal education, certification might be an important credential for a number of employers. The International Baccalaureate is a qualification thats available around the world. The Skills and Qualifications for Resume titelblatt Up Or, understandably, you might have some extra questions about things you might want to understand before going abroad. If youre searching to score some new abilities, particularly if youre thinking about a career change, one of the greatest approaches to do its by getting an internship. There are a couple questions devised to comprehend the employees attitude and aptitude. The very last thing you d esire is to confuse the organization since it will result to rejection. The Tried and True Method for Skills and Qualifications for Resume in Step by Step Detail As a consequence, employers always start looking for data entry clerks who compliment a quick typing speed with accuracy also. Our excellent group of information entry executives is trained to manage any type of situation and offer high-quality results within a fast turnaround time. An overview of qualifications is utilized to highlight the range of work experiences youve built up with time. It is possible to create an overview of a vast array of your work experience in your resume. It is essential that they communicate with the managers and keep the information flow by coordinating with different data centers and data points. Make sure you receive the information youre looking for. Counseling, daily interactions and arranging transportation for those residents are a few of the tasks involved. Examples of resumes on your area ought to be your very first step. Maybe one of the advantages and appealing facets of a career in accounting is the flexibility. If youre lacking in the experience department, it may be better to try out a different resume introduction. When you compose a list of Core Competencies, you will want to include about 10. For instance, if youre looking for employment in the healthcare business, listing your yoga certification indicates that youre likely a health advocate and leader. There is ordinarily no difference in fees for home and multinational students. Looking for resume samples in your area of expertise may also provide you with a notion of the sum. There are several suitable courses on offer around the nation, which will give a more boost to any CV. You have to pass all units and the program assessment to accomplish the qualification. While certain skills are essentially offshoots of common sense, the demand for commercial awareness is important. Profes sional skills are extremely important additionally to include on your resume. More technical or computer-centric hard skills are occasionally also called technical skills. The particular skills you have to excel in the working world will differ based on your area. In the majority of roles, you have to be in a position to tailor your communications for various audiences. Be sure your posture is ideal and your attitude emanates confidence. Luckily, you can acquire cash handling skills in many different positions. Skills and Qualifications for Resume Secrets That No One Else Knows About Ten to over 20 decades of experience translate in a mean salary of $40,000. Ask how you could make their job simpler. The job is extremely competitive and having an impressive qualification may give you the edge in the local area. If youre really motivated to land a specific job, interview professionals in the area and ask them what it requires to excel in their job. At times, experience itself is sufficient to turn into an advertising manager, but some employers call for a post-secondary education. If you know that you can deal with the job, youre probably the employee the employer wants. Just take the time to critique the job posting, so youre acquainted with what the employer wants. Be confident in yourself and what you are able to offer employers.

The single most proven thing you can do right now to get smarter and happier

The single most proven thing you can do right now to get smarter and happierThe single most proven thing you can do right now to get smarter and happierMany of the fixes for our problems arent complex - something thats clear inthe things I recommend people do every day.Whats a scientifically validated way to get smarter, happier, healthier and calmer?Stop reading this right now and go for a walk.Its that simple.Heres why.Exercise powers the body - and the mindThey used to say you dont grow new brain cells. They were wrong.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainAs an illustration of just how new this territory is, Ill go back to the story of neurogenesis, the once-heretical theory that the brain grows new nerve cells throughout life. Ten years ago people werent even convinced that it happened, says neurologist Scott Small. It was at his Columbia University lab, in 2007, where they witnessed telltale signs of neurogenesis for the first time in live humans. Fi ve years ago people said, OK, it might happen, but is it really meaningful? Now there isnt a week that goes by where theres elend abedrngnisher study that shows neurogenesis has some kind of effect on the brain.What really feeds those baby brain cells? Hitting the gym.A 3 month exercise regimen increased bloodflow to thepart of your brain focused on memory and learning by 30%.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainIn his study, Small put a group of volunteers on a three-month exercise regimen and then took pictures of their brains. By manipulating a standard MRI machines processing- essentially zoomingin and cocking the shutter open- he captured images of the newly fassoned capillaries required for nascent neurons to survive. What he saw was that the capillary volume in the memory area of the hippocampus increased by 30 percent, a truly remarkable change.The dumb jock is a mythBeing in good shape increases your ability to learn. After exercise people pick up new vocabulary words 20% faster.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainOne of the prominent features of exercise, which is sometimes leid appreciated in studies, is an improvement inthe tarif of learning, and I think thats a really cool take-home message, Cotman says. Because it suggests that if youre in good shape, you may be able to learn and function mora efficiently.Indeed, in a 2007 study of humans, German researchers found that people learn vocabulary words 20 percent faster following exercise than they did before exercise, and that the satz of learning correlated directly with levels of BDNF.Want to be more creative?Sweating for about a half hour on the treadmill notably increases cognitive flexibility.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainA notable experiment in 2007 showed that cognitive flexibility improves after just one thirty-five-minute treadmill session at either 60 percent or 70 percent of maximum heart rateCognit ive 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.Fine, you can see differences on an MRI and with nerdy tests. Does it make a difference in the real world?Yes.Office workers who exercised at lunch were more productive, less stressed and had more energy.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainIn 2004 researchers at Leeds Metropolitan University in England found that workers who used their companys gym were more productive and felt better able to handle their workloads. fruchtwein of the 210 participants in the study took an aerobics class at lunchtime, for forty-five minutes to an hour, but others lifted weights or practiced joga for thirty minutes to an hour. They filled out questionnaires at the end of every workday about how well they interacted with colleagues, managed their time, and met deadlines . Some 65 percent fared better in all three categories on days they exercised. Overall, they felt better about their work and less stressed when they exercised. And they felt less fatigued in the afternoon, despite expending energy at lunchtime.That super-productive co-worker who runs every day might not exercise because they have energy - they might have energy because they exercise.While it might not make you thesmartest person in the world,among the manyways to increase intelligence, exercise stands out.Sweating increases smilingCant make it simpler than thisResearch from Duke University shows exercise is as effective as antidepressants in treating depression.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainIn alandmark study affectionately called SMILE (Standard Medical Intervention and Long-term Exercise), James Blumenthal and his colleagues pitted exercise against the SSRI sertraline (Zoloft) in a sixteen-week trial Blumenthal concluded that exercise was as eff ective as medication.It also reduces anxiety.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainOne interesting study in 2005 measured the physical and mental effects of exercise in a group of Chilean high school students for nine months The experimental groups anxiety scores dropped 14 percent versus a statistically insignificant 3 percent for the control group (an improvement that could be explained by the placebo effect).What if youre not depressed or anxious? Stay sedentary and youre 1.5x more likely to eventuallybecome depressed.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainResearchers tracked 8,023 people for twenty-six years, surveying them about a number of factors related to lifestyle habits and healthiness starting in 1965. They checked back in with the participants in 1974 and in 1983. Of all the people with no signs of depression at the beginning, those who became inactive over the next nine years were 1.5 times more likely to have depressi on by 1983 than their active counterparts.Still not convinced?People who exercise are, across the board, mentally healthier less depression, anger, stress, and distrust.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainA massive Dutch study of 19,288 twins and their families published in2006 showed that exercisers are less anxious, less depressed, less neurotic, and also more socially outgoing. A Finnish study of 3,403 people in 1999 showed that those who exercise at least two to three times a week experience significantly less depression, anger, stress, and cynical distrust than those who exercise less or not at all.Okay, Okay - How much do I need to do?Whatsoptimal? Exercise six days a week, 45 minutes to an hour per day.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainThe best, however, based on everything Ive read and seen, would be to do some form of aerobic activity six days a week, for forty-five minutes to an hour In total, Im talking about comm itting six hours a week to your brain. That works out to 5 percent of your waking hours.Stop rolling your eyes. Its not all or nothing.Regarding body health and brain health, experts and neuroscientists agreeA little is good, and more is better.Heres something proven to make you smarter, healthier, and happier. What could be a better investment of your time?You might askIf its obviously so great, why dont we all do it?Becausehabitsandsocial influencesare much more powerful than we think.And, in general, we dont do what makes us happy - we do whats easy.But it doesnt have to be that way.Whats the best first step? Gohere.Join 45K+ readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related posts8 Things The Worlds Most Successful People All Have In CommonWhat 10 things should you do every day to improve your life?How To Make Your Life Better By Sending Five Simple EmailsThis article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.The single most proven thing you can do right now to get sm arter and happierMany of the fixes for our problems arent complex - something thats clear inthe things I recommend people do every day.Whats a scientifically validated way to get smarter, happier, healthier and calmer?FollowLadders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard coveringHappiness,Productivity,Job Satisfaction,Neuroscience, andmoreStop reading this right now and go for a walk.Its that simple.Heres why.Exercise powers the body - and the mindThey used to say you dont grow new brain cells. They were wrong.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainAs an illustration of just how new this territory is, Ill go back to the story of neurogenesis, the once-heretical theory that the brain grows new nerve cells throughout life. Ten years ago people werent even convinced that it happened, says neurologist Scott Small. It was at his Columbia University lab, in 2007, where they witnessed telltale signs of neurogenesis for the first time in live humans. Fiv e years ago people said, OK, it might happen, but is it really meaningful? Now there isnt a week that goes by where theres not another study that shows neurogenesis has some kind of effect on the brain.What really feeds those baby brain cells? Hitting the gym.A 3 month exercise regimen increased bloodflow to thepart of your brain focused on memory and learning by 30%.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainIn his study, Small put a group of volunteers on a three-month exercise regimen and then took pictures of their brains. By manipulating a standard MRI machines processing- essentially zoomingin and cocking the shutter open- he captured images of the newly formed capillaries required for nascent neurons to survive. What he saw was that the capillary volume in the memory area of the hippocampus increased by 30 percent, a truly remarkable change.The dumb jock is a mythBeing in good shape increases your ability to learn. After exercise people pick up new voca bulary words 20% faster.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainOne of the prominent features of exercise, which is sometimes not appreciated in studies, is an improvement inthe rate of learning, and I think thats a really cool take-home message, Cotman says. Because it suggests that if youre in good shape, you may be able to learn and function more efficiently.Indeed, in a 2007 study of humans, German researchers found that people learn vocabulary words 20 percent faster following exercise than they did before exercise, and that the rate of learning correlated directly with levels of BDNF.Want to be more creative?Sweating for about a half hour on the treadmill notably increases cognitive flexibility.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainA notable experiment in 2007 showed that cognitive flexibility improves after just one thirty-five-minute treadmill session at either 60 percent or 70 percent of maximum heart rateCognitive flexibili ty 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.Fine, you can see differences on an MRI and with nerdy tests. Does it make a difference in the real world?Yes.Office workers who exercised at lunch were more productive, less stressed and had more energy.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainIn 2004 researchers at Leeds Metropolitan University in England found that workers who used their companys gym were more productive and felt better able to handle their workloads. Most of the 210 participants in the study took an aerobics class at lunchtime, for forty-five minutes to an hour, but others lifted weights or practiced yoga for thirty minutes to an hour. They filled out questionnaires at the end of every workday about how well they interacted with colleagues, managed their time, and met deadlines. Some 65 percent f ared better in all three categories on days they exercised. Overall, they felt better about their work and less stressed when they exercised. And they felt less fatigued in the afternoon, despite expending energy at lunchtime.That super-productive co-worker who runs every day might not exercise because they have energy - they might have energy because they exercise.While it might not make you thesmartest person in the world,among the manyways to increase intelligence, exercise stands out.Sweating increases smilingCant make it simpler than thisResearch from Duke University shows exercise is as effective as antidepressants in treating depression.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainIn alandmark study affectionately called SMILE (Standard Medical Intervention and Long-term Exercise), James Blumenthal and his colleagues pitted exercise against the SSRI sertraline (Zoloft) in a sixteen-week trial Blumenthal concluded that exercise was as effective as medicatio n.It also reduces anxiety.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainOne interesting study in 2005 measured the physical and mental effects of exercise in a group of Chilean high school students for nine months The experimental groups anxiety scores dropped 14 percent versus a statistically insignificant 3 percent for the control group (an improvement that could be explained by the placebo effect).What if youre not depressed or anxious? Stay sedentary and youre 1.5x more likely to eventuallybecome depressed.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainResearchers tracked 8,023 people for twenty-six years, surveying them about a number of factors related to lifestyle habits and healthiness starting in 1965. They checked back in with the participants in 1974 and in 1983. Of all the people with no signs of depression at the beginning, those who became inactive over the next nine years were 1.5 times more likely to have depression by 1983 than the ir active counterparts.Still not convinced?People who exercise are, across the board, mentally healthier less depression, anger, stress, and distrust.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainA massive Dutch study of 19,288 twins and their families published in2006 showed that exercisers are less anxious, less depressed, less neurotic, and also more socially outgoing. A Finnish study of 3,403 people in 1999 showed that those who exercise at least two to three times a week experience significantly less depression, anger, stress, and cynical distrust than those who exercise less or not at all.Okay, Okay - How much do I need to do?Whatsoptimal? Exercise six days a week, 45 minutes to an hour per day.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainThe best, however, based on everything Ive read and seen, would be to do some form of aerobic activity six days a week, for forty-five minutes to an hour In total, Im talking about committing six hours a week to your brain. That works out to 5 percent of your waking hours.Stop rolling your eyes. Its not all or nothing.Regarding body health and brain health, experts and neuroscientists agreeA little is good, and more is better.Heres something proven to make you smarter, healthier, and happier. What could be a better investment of your time?You might askIf its obviously so great, why dont we all do it?Becausehabitsandsocial influencesare much more powerful than we think.And, in general, we dont do what makes us happy - we do whats easy.But it doesnt have to be that way.Whats the best first step? Gohere.Join 45K+ readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related posts8 Things The Worlds Most Successful People All Have In CommonWhat 10 things should you do every day to improve your life?How To Make Your Life Better By Sending Five Simple EmailsThis article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.The single most proven thing you can do right now to get smarter and happierMa ny of the fixes for our problems arent complex - something thats clear inthe things I recommend people do every day.Whats a scientifically validated way to get smarter, happier, healthier and calmer?Stop reading this right now and go for a walk.Its that simple.Heres why.Exercise powers the body - and the mindThey used to say you dont grow new brain cells. They were wrong.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainAs an illustration of just how new this territory is, Ill go back to the story of neurogenesis, the once-heretical theory that the brain grows new nerve cells throughout life. Ten years ago people werent even convinced that it happened, says neurologist Scott Small. It was at his Columbia University lab, in 2007, where they witnessed telltale signs of neurogenesis for the first time in live humans. Five years ago people said, OK, it might happen, but is it really meaningful? Now there isnt a week that goes by where theres not another study that shows neurogenesis has some kind of effect on the brain.What really feeds those baby brain cells? Hitting the gym.A 3 month exercise regimen increased bloodflow to thepart of your brain focused on memory and learning by 30%.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainIn his study, Small put a group of volunteers on a three-month exercise regimen and then took pictures of their brains. By manipulating a standard MRI machines processing- essentially zoomingin and cocking the shutter open- he captured images of the newly formed capillaries required for nascent neurons to survive. What he saw was that the capillary volume in the memory area of the hippocampus increased by 30 percent, a truly remarkable change.The dumb jock is a mythBeing in good shape increases your ability to learn. After exercise people pick up new vocabulary words 20% faster.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainOne of the prominent features of exercise, which is sometimes no t appreciated in studies, is an improvement inthe rate of learning, and I think thats a really cool take-home message, Cotman says. Because it suggests that if youre in good shape, you may be able to learn and function more efficiently.Indeed, in a 2007 study of humans, German researchers found that people learn vocabulary words 20 percent faster following exercise than they did before exercise, and that the rate of learning correlated directly with levels of BDNF.Want to be more creative?Sweating for about a half hour on the treadmill notably increases cognitive flexibility.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainA notable experiment in 2007 showed that cognitive flexibility improves after just one thirty-five-minute treadmill session at either 60 percent or 70 percent of maximum heart rateCognitive 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 oppos ed to a regurgitation of the usual responses.Fine, you can see differences on an MRI and with nerdy tests. Does it make a difference in the real world?Yes.Office workers who exercised at lunch were more productive, less stressed and had more energy.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainIn 2004 researchers at Leeds Metropolitan University in England found that workers who used their companys gym were more productive and felt better able to handle their workloads. Most of the 210 participants in the study took an aerobics class at lunchtime, for forty-five minutes to an hour, but others lifted weights or practiced yoga for thirty minutes to an hour. They filled out questionnaires at the end of every workday about how well they interacted with colleagues, managed their time, and met deadlines. Some 65 percent fared better in all three categories on days they exercised. Overall, they felt better about their work and less stressed when they exercised. And they f elt less fatigued in the afternoon, despite expending energy at lunchtime.That super-productive co-worker who runs every day might not exercise because they have energy - they might have energy because they exercise.While it might not make you thesmartest person in the world,among the manyways to increase intelligence, exercise stands out.Sweating increases smilingCant make it simpler than thisResearch from Duke University shows exercise is as effective as antidepressants in treating depression.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainIn alandmark study affectionately called SMILE (Standard Medical Intervention and Long-term Exercise), James Blumenthal and his colleagues pitted exercise against the SSRI sertraline (Zoloft) in a sixteen-week trial Blumenthal concluded that exercise was as effective as medication.It also reduces anxiety.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainOne interesting study in 2005 measured the physical and mental effects of exercise in a group of Chilean high school students for nine months The experimental groups anxiety scores dropped 14 percent versus a statistically insignificant 3 percent for the control group (an improvement that could be explained by the placebo effect).What if youre not depressed or anxious? Stay sedentary and youre 1.5x more likely to eventuallybecome depressed.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainResearchers tracked 8,023 people for twenty-six years, surveying them about a number of factors related to lifestyle habits and healthiness starting in 1965. They checked back in with the participants in 1974 and in 1983. Of all the people with no signs of depression at the beginning, those who became inactive over the next nine years were 1.5 times more likely to have depression by 1983 than their active counterparts.Still not convinced?People who exercise are, across the board, mentally healthier less depression, anger, stress, and distrust.Vi aSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainA massive Dutch study of 19,288 twins and their families published in2006 showed that exercisers are less anxious, less depressed, less neurotic, and also more socially outgoing. A Finnish study of 3,403 people in 1999 showed that those who exercise at least two to three times a week experience significantly less depression, anger, stress, and cynical distrust than those who exercise less or not at all.Okay, Okay - How much do I need to do?Whatsoptimal? Exercise six days a week, 45 minutes to an hour per day.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainThe best, however, based on everything Ive read and seen, would be to do some form of aerobic activity six days a week, for forty-five minutes to an hour In total, Im talking about committing six hours a week to your brain. That works out to 5 percent of your waking hours.Stop rolling your eyes. Its not all or nothing.Regarding body health and brain heal th, experts and neuroscientists agreeA little is good, and more is better.Heres something proven to make you smarter, healthier, and happier. What could be a better investment of your time?You might askIf its obviously so great, why dont we all do it?Becausehabitsandsocial influencesare much more powerful than we think.And, in general, we dont do what makes us happy - we do whats easy.But it doesnt have to be that way.Whats the best first step? Gohere.Join 45K+ readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related posts8 Things The Worlds Most Successful People All Have In CommonWhat 10 things should you do every day to improve your life?How To Make Your Life Better By Sending Five Simple EmailsThis article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.