I have always felt that our thoughts were strongly tied to our level of health. I feel that it works two ways. If we think of ourselves as healthy, we will be. And if we keep fit, we will improve our state of mind. In the past when I would mention this to others, they would roll their eyes and chalk it up to another of my offbeat ideas. Today, however, fitness professionals are embracing the mind/body connection and realizing that working the body is also good for the mind. And that using the mind while we are working out is good for the body.

Exercise can boost your mood, zap stress and relieve tension. This happens because exercise releases endorphins - chemicals that make you feel calm - and flushes out toxins. In a recent Roper Starch Worldwide survey, 94 percent of the people said they exercise to improve their emotional well-being, and 87 percent said they do so to reduce stress. Researchers at Minneapolis's School of Public Health recently found that people who exercise regularly have lower stress levels than their more sedentary counterparts.

If you don't have time for a full-fledged workout, take several 10-minute walks during the day to clear your mind. I know that if something is bothering me, or if I have a sticky problem to solve, by the time I have finished a vigorous workout, I usually have a solution to the problem, or, at least, have let go of the bother. I always feel like I'm ready to face almost anything or anybody, no matter how prickly the situation.

Exercise will keep you young in body and mind. Not only will exercise slow your chronological aging it will also keep your brain functioning at a youthful level because of the oxygen that is sent to it while you are breathing and pumping hard. I read recently that by keeping a good supply of oxygen to the brain that we will reduce loss of memory as we age.

Deepak Chopra, who has written and taught how to avoid unnecessary aging was recently asked what kinds of exercise is likely to keep us young. He answered, " Studies show that 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three times a week will reverse every single biological risk factor and actually delay the onset of aging. Yoga acts through a completely different route from other forms of exercise. It increases mind-body coordination and calms your emotions. You also need the benefits of weight training. The three types complement each other. I would say do yoga, cardiovascular exercise and weight training three times a week."

I know from experience that I feel a lot younger physically and mentally than I am chronologically. And I also know that it is because I exercise (actually more than three times a week). (Note: if you have never visited the fun website: www.realage.com , I suggest going there and taking the real age test. They have many fitness and nutritional tips, along with how to avoid stress, and offer to send you a daily health tip - these are short and to the point and quite informative.)

Use your mind for an effective workout. In several of the classes I teach members of the same family attend along with people who are friends or have become friends in the class. Because of this, there tends to be a lot of conversation - not so much during the cardiovascular portion when everyone is working to keep up, but during the weight training and the sculpting with the ball and on the floor. Although this helps to make the time go quickly and is fun and entertaining, I feel that the effectiveness of the workout is reduced because of a lack of concentration.

Our minds are so powerful that if we concentrate on the particular muscle we are working, we will feel the workout so much more than when we are talking or visiting. I also notice that the people who are using the machines and focusing all of their attention on the workout appear to be getting a stronger workout than those who are talking, reading, or watching television. The strength of focus just isn't there. Even when we are stretching if we put all of our mind into it, we will feel that stretch deep down into the muscles. I am not suggesting that you be a grouch and not interact (I don't tell my students to be quiet), but the more focused we can be, the better.

Need some creative ideas? Exercise, and they will come. Even though I feel that I am a creative person, there are days that I just can't seem to come up with a creative solution to something I am working on. All I need at that time is to drop the working and replace it with working out. Within minutes of moving around to some music, I find that ideas are popping into my head or I have figured out the method or technique that has been bugging me.

So, work that body and that brain. You'll be glad you did. The benefits are infinite.

As always, check with your own healtcare professional before undertaking any diet or exercise program.