I am amazed that the memory is stored in the body and is a reactive part of me. Kung fu forms not practiced much are in there the 'muscles' (and nerves I think) hold the patterns and memories that they have been conditioned to learn. This is an example of reactive thinking, memory based off associated percepts. I think memories are not limited to just the head/brain but the whole body/mind organism. Thinking therefore is also something that is done with the whole body, not just the head. So it makes good sense to take care of the body and not let the thinker go inert through lack of use.

Use the body and the mind becomes able to think easier. As if you were looking out your car window on a cold day and the ice slush covered the windshield. You can see but it is hard to see forms clearly or far into the distance. Apply a little windshield deicer, the movement of the windshield wipers, and some heat from the defroster and that slush gets moved out of the way. It becomes much easier to see and you can see farther. Exercise is like that to the mind. The whole body benefits but the key to being able to think about all of the problems and questions we have in life is to clear up the mind. Best way to do that is to make use of the minds mechanical levers (body).