--- title: The Single Most Proven Way to Get Smarter and Happier description: Yes, It’s This Simple Many of the fixes for our problems aren’t complex — something that’s clear in the things I recommend people do every... canonical: https://time.com/50346/the-single-most-proven-way-to-get-smarter-and-happier/ author: Eric Barker article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2014-04-07T14:35:31.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:45:35.483Z article:section: Ideas og:title: The Single Most Proven Way to Get Smarter and Happier og:description: Yes, It’s This Simple Many of the fixes for our problems aren’t complex — something that’s clear in the things I recommend people do every... og:url: https://time.com/50346/the-single-most-proven-way-to-get-smarter-and-happier/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd09249693090ceae/69868904d0b6f25dd83039d8/175534944.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3274 og:image:height: 1842 og:image:alt: Little boy makes a face while adjusting glasses og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The Single Most Proven Way to Get Smarter and Happier twitter:description: Yes, It’s This Simple Many of the fixes for our problems aren’t complex — something that’s clear in the things I recommend people do every... twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd09249693090ceae/69868904d0b6f25dd83039d8/175534944.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The Single Most Proven Way to Get Smarter and Happier > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: September 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. 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Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers. #### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to? It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters. #### Are TIME's newsletters free? Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes TIME's newsletters? TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=5e9d3a2b-f841-4baa-9e9f-1a0109f89872&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1) ## Video: We Tried This: Aerial Vinyasa Yoga [Watch (HLS stream): We Tried This: Aerial Vinyasa Yoga](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/68PN7sJl.m3u8) (1:28)  _Published 2012-08-20. A total body workout while you hang from a hammock._ by [Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Apr 7, 2014 2:35 PM UTC  Little boy makes a face while adjusting glasses Little boy makes a face while adjusting glasses Mikkel William Nielsen—Getty Images by [Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Apr 7, 2014 2:35 PM UTC **Yes, It’s This Simple** Many of the fixes for our problems aren’t complex — something that’s clear in [the things I recommend people do every day](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/what-10-things-should-you-do-every-day-to-imp/). **What’s a scientifically validated way to get smarter, happier, healthier and calmer?** **Stop reading this right now and go for a walk.** It’s that simple. Here’s why. ## **Exercise Powers the Body — and the Mind** **They used to say you don’t grow new brain cells. They were wrong.** Via [_Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SFD21Q/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SFD21Q&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- What really feeds those baby brain cells? Hitting the gym. **A three-month exercise regimen increased blood flow to the part of your brain focused on memory and learning by 30%.** Via [_Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SFD21Q/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SFD21Q&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- ## **The Dumb Jock Is a Myth** **Being in good shape increases your ability to learn. After exercise, people pick up new vocabulary words 20% faster.** Via [_Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SFD21Q/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SFD21Q&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- _Indeed, in a 2007 study of humans, German researchers found that people learn vocabulary words 20% 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.** Via[_Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SFD21Q/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SFD21Q&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- 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.** Via [_Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SFD21Q/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SFD21Q&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- That super-productive co-worker who runs every day might not exercise because he has energy — he might have energy because he exercises. While it might not make you the [smartest person in the world](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/10/smartest-man-world/), among the many [ways to increase intelligence](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/25-research-based-ways-to-increase-your-intel/), exercise stands out. ## **Sweating Increases Smiling** Can’t make it simpler than this: **Research from Duke University shows exercise is as effective as antidepressants in treating depression.** Via [_Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SFD21Q/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SFD21Q&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- It also reduces anxiety. Via [_Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SFD21Q/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SFD21Q&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- **What if you’re not depressed or anxious? Stay sedentary and you’re 1.5 times more likely to eventually** **_become depressed._** Via [_Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SFD21Q/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SFD21Q&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- Still not convinced? **People who exercise are, across the board, mentally healthier: less depression, anger, stress and distrust.** Via [_Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SFD21Q/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SFD21Q&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- ## **O.K., O.K. — How Much Do I Need to Do?** What’s optimal? Exercise six days a week, 45 minutes to an hour per day. Via [_Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SFD21Q/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SFD21Q&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- Stop rolling your eyes. It’s not all or nothing. **Regarding body health and brain health, experts and neuroscientists agree: “A little is good, and more is better.”** **Here’s something proved to make you smarter, healthier and happier. What could be a better investment of your time?** You might ask: _If it’s obviously so great, why don’t we all do it?_ Because [habits](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/08/what-are-the-5-steps-for-changing-bad-habits/) and [social influences](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/11/science-of-karma/) are much more powerful than we think. And, in general, we don’t do what makes us happy — [we do what’s easy](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/12/happy/). But it doesn’t have to be that way. What’s the best first step? Go [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/12/new-years-resolutions/). **Join 45,000-plus readers.** Get a free weekly update via email [here](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD). Related posts: [8 Things the World’s Most Successful People All Have in Common](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/12/successful-people/) [What 10 Things Should You Do Every Day to Improve Your Life?](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/what-10-things-should-you-do-every-day-to-imp/) [How to Make Your Life Better by Sending Five Simple Emails](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/make-your-life-better/) _This piece originally appeared on_ [_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/)_._ ## Transcript [ MUSIC ] This is Aerial Vinasa. Using the strength of your thighs to control. A type of fusion yoga that combines traditional Vinyasa Yoga, with the art of aerial dance. [ MUSIC ] One of the things about the hammocks is that you're gonna be using muscles in different ways than you would in your regular Vinyasa class. And exhale right. I'm Alexandra Sifferlin for Time. I decided to visit the OM Factory in Manhattan, and see how these hammocks add to the yoga experience. So say for a warrior three pose, right, which is usually a challenge for a lot of people. So with the hammocks we can actually use it as a tool to stabilize the upper body and that way we can work on squaring the hips towards the ground. This fusion still maintains the basic elements of Vinyasa Yoga, letting your breath guide the movement. And as you exhale, just release, sink into the fabric and let it help you stretch. The result is better controlled movements as you strengthen your core muscles. Pull yourself all the way up to stand. And as I discovered, using a hammock adds one very important element to a yoga class. In a regular yoga class sometimes you forget to have fun and to smile, and the hammock really brings out the kid, in, in the yogi. You guys are troopers. I like it. 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