I’ve found from my #redirecting research from both personal experience and my interviews, that good health is a foundation of any significant life pivot, whether it’s transitioning careers, entering retirement, or navigating major life changes. This insight came up repeatedly during my redirecting interviews with people who successfully navigated such shifts.
The ways people prioritize health varied with age:
Those in their 40s and 50s spoke about running marathons and engaging in endurance sports to stay fit.
Women in their late 40s and 50s focused on improving the quality of their lives, particularly as they managed menopause.
People in their 60s and older, especially those retiring, emphasized the importance of taking care of health issues along with the importance of exercise in maintaining their health and well-being.
As someone new to being 80, maintaining good health through regular exercise is and has been central to my life since my thirties. I schedule it! I do Pilates two to three times a week, hike almost daily, lift weights, and play golf. I eat relatively healthily and even managed to not gain any weight over the holidays. I’m relatively fit and flexible. Flexibility is invaluable for me.
My Pilates teacher recently mentioned that strong ligaments are key to physical flexibility—and suggested a connection between strong ligaments and flexible thinking. Curious researcher that I am, I decided to explore this claim. Here’s what I discovered. References below.

The Fascinating Correlation Between Physical and Mental Flexibility
The idea that physical flexibility and mental (cognitive) flexibility are linked is captivating. Although the research is still emerging and definitive causation hasn’t been established, there is evidence suggesting a connection. People with active lifestyles often cultivate both physical and mental flexibility by combining physical activity with cognitively stimulating and mindfulness practices. Genetic predispositions, personality traits, and lifestyle choices also play significant roles.
The benefits of activities that promote physical flexibility—like Pilates, yoga, and stretching exercises—are undeniable. These practices foster mindfulness, reduce stress, and may enhance cognitive flexibility. My Pilates instructor’s insight aligns with a holistic view of health: nurturing the body creates ripple effects that benefit the mind and mental agility.
Exploring the Connection
1. Neurological and Physiological Overlap: Physical and mental flexibility both rely on the nervous system's adaptability. The prefrontal cortex, essential for cognitive flexibility, enables tasks like problem-solving, shifting perspectives, and adapting to new situations. Similarly, the nervous system governs motor skills, balance, and physical flexibility. Yoga and Pilates—which emphasize stretching and controlled movement—have been shown to improve cognitive function through breath regulation, mindfulness, and neural adaptation.
2. Mind-Body Practices and Cognitive Benefits: Studies indicate that activities like yoga, Pilates, and tai chi improve both physical flexibility and cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and emotional regulation. These benefits likely result from the combination of physical movement, mental focus, and stress reduction inherent in these practices.
3. Strong Ligaments and Resilience: While the claim that “strong ligaments lead to mental flexibility” is intriguing, research more commonly highlights the link between core strength, muscle balance, and joint health with overall well-being. Strong ligaments contribute to stability and movement control, which may indirectly enhance confidence, adaptability, and reduce mental stress.
4. Embodied Cognition: Embodied cognition—the theory that our mental processes are deeply connected to our physical state—offers additional insight. Regular physical activity that involves stretching and coordinated movement can improve problem-solving, creative thinking, and resilience.
5. Stress and Flexibility: Chronic stress can negatively affect both physical and mental flexibility. Stiff muscles and joints often accompany stress, just as mental rigidity—difficulty adapting or thinking creatively—can result from it. Activities that promote physical flexibility, like Pilates, have been shown to lower cortisol levels and enhance mental adaptability.
The interplay between physical and mental flexibility underscores the importance of a holistic approach to health. Whether you're running marathons, navigating menopause, or embracing retirement, maintaining physical flexibility through practices like Pilates and yoga can benefit both your body and mind. As my Pilates teacher aptly put it, “Strong ligaments lead to strong thinking.” While science continues to evolve, this connection offers yet another reason to keep moving—and keep thinking flexibly.
My Sources on Physical and Mental Flexibility
A review analyzed the relationship between physical activity and cognitive flexibility, focusing on attention and salience. The findings suggest that aerobic exercise positively influences neurophysiological processes related to cognitive flexibility. (PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY: AN ANALYTICAL REVIEW | World Physiotherapy)
Practices like yoga, tai chi, and Pilates have been found to enhance attention, memory, and executive function. They also promote neuroplasticity, supporting cognitive resilience and adaptability. (Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, And Brain Health & Performance)
Research indicates that Pilates can positively affect attention, motivation, and cognitive functions. A study involving students showed improvements in these areas after engaging in Pilates exercises. (Impact of Pilates on Anxiety Attention, Motivation, Cognitive function and Achievement of Students: Structural Modeling - ScienceDirect)
A study involving 91 healthy adults over a 10-week period found that increased aerobic activity was associated with improvements in cognitive flexibility, attention, and memory. (Aerobic Exercise Enhances Cognitive Flexibility | Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings)
Engaging in stretching exercises has been linked to reductions in anxiety and improvements in cognitive function among physically inactive young adults. (Stretching - Wikipedia)
Regular physical exercise increases the production of neurotrophic factors like BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF, which promote neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. These changes are associated with improvements in executive functions, including cognitive flexibility. (Neurobiological effects of physical exercise - Wikipedia)
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