Exercise Your Brain

Last May, Dr. Bibiana Campos-Seijo, Editor-in-Chief of C&EN, tweeted about her new world record in the deadlift for her age/weight category. The video clip of Bibiana lifting a 320-lb barbell was a powerful and literal reminder of how working the body can fuel the brain. Getting out of the lab to hit the gym, pool, basketball court, softball field—or even the neighborhood sidewalks—can clear the chemist’s mind for new big ideas and enhance perspective on problems of the day. Such excursions can be social or solitary, competitive or collaborative, intense or meditative. No matter the medium, working out is an important component of our success when we are working in