Grip Strength = Brain Strength

"Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.”

– Oprah Winfrey

Let's be honest: Don't we all have difficulties opening a jar once in a while? It is so annoying, but it mustn't stay that way. It's all about our…

GRIP STRENGTH

Grip strength refers to the force that can be generated by the muscles in the hands and forearms, particularly when we grasp an object and hold onto it.

One might think grip strength is solely important for sports, such as weightlifting, rock climbing, judo or rugby.

But the truth is:

We need grip strength for everyday tasks like opening a jar or carrying groceries and to help maintain our brain health.

The results from various studies strongly suggest that grip strength is a solid indicator of one’s mental health and could be used to identify problems before other symptoms become noticeable.

Greater grip strength is associated with:

• better cognitive functioning

• higher life satisfaction

• greater subjective well-being

• reduced depression and anxiety symptoms

• increased grey matter volume - the so called brain reserve