Meditation, Exercise, & Immunity

Meditation & Exercise (individually) both prevent illness & lessen illness severity
http://www.annfammed.org/content/10/4/337.long
149 participants were randomized into 1 of 3 groups: no intervention, 8 weeks of exercise, or 8 weeks of meditation. The control group got sick 40 times and had 453 days of illness, the exercise group got sick 26 times and had 241 days of illness, while the meditation group got sick 27 times and had 257 days of illness. The participants were also surveyed to assess the severity of their illness, with a higher score indicating more severe symptoms. The control group had a mean severity score of 358, exercise 248, and meditation 144. In terms of days of work missed: the control group missed 67 days, exercise 32, and meditation only 16.

Exercise, Cognition, Strength & Immunity

Intense exercise increases BDNF & improves cognitive function
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17414812
Participants cycled at 2 different intensities. Those who cycled at higher intensity had significant increases in BDNF in the blood. Increased BDNF levels correlated with increasing Lactate levels (Lactate levels increase when exercise becomes Anaerobic). Cognitive function improved after both forms of exercise.

BDNF is Brain-derived neurotrophic factor. It helps to "support the survival of existing neurons, and encourage the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses."

Lifting speed matters for strength progression
http://www.ergo-log.com/faster-concentric-movement-more-progression-with-bench-press.html
In short, experienced lifters were divided into one group who lifted at their preferred speed and one group that sped up the concentric portion of their lift (the push in the bench press in this example). The group that focused on lifting faster had about a 10% increase in strength while the other group showed no change.

Parents have stronger immune systems
http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/content/74/6/567.full
Researchers infected adults with cold viruses and found that those with children were less likely to develop colds as a result. The effect was greater in older parents and not seen in parents aged 18-23.