Exercise Will Improve Your Work Performance

So why can exercise specifically help my working day?

Physical activity is a great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun. There are many benefits to exercising, but think about the following related to your work.

Exercise reduces stress & improves your mood

Need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? One of the most common mental
benefits of exercise is stress relief. Taking a walk, working up a sweat at the gym or on a run, can help manage physical and mental stress. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals, it increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress. With regular exercise you also feel better about your appearance, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. So I go and get sweaty as working out can reduce stress and boost the body’s ability to deal with existing mental tension, leaving me feeling happier and more relaxed.

Exercise - an energy boost

Do you find yourself flagging at work? Regular physical activity improves your muscle strength and boosts your endurance. Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. We all know when we first start a new exercise class we find it hard, but after a short time it is so much easier. Why, because we become fitter and more energised. This moves into your daily life and you have more energy to go about your daily work.

Exercise & sleep better

Exercise increases relaxation. If you struggle to fall asleep or to stay asleep, regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. For some, a moderate workout can be the equivalent of a sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia. Moving around five to six hours before bedtime raises the body’s core temperature. When the body temp drops back to normal a few hours later, it signals the body that it’s time to sleep. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to fall asleep.

Exercise keeps you alert & sharpens memory

Help keep your cognitive function active. Exercise can help protect the brain against cognitive decline. It boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning. Research has linked children’s brain development with levels of physical fitness. Working out can boost memory among grown-ups too. A study showed that running sprints improved vocabulary retention among healthy adults.

Exercise boosts brain power

Studies have shown that cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells (neurogenesis) and improve overall brain performance. Studies suggest that a tough workout increases levels of a brain-derived protein (known as BDNF) in the body, believed to help with decision making, higher thinking, and learning.

Exercise helps me get more done

Research shows that workers who take time for exercise on a regular basis are more productive and have more energy than their more sedentary peers. While busy schedules can make it tough to squeeze in a gym session, we can all find time to do a 30 minute session at home and the benefits are so worth it.

So are you inspired to exercise?

You need to aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. This does not necessary only mean the gym, after all, variety is the spice of life. As well as the gym, I regularly attend exercise classes, train at home, go for runs, jump on my bike and even go for walks in the countryside. Finally, remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you haven't exercised for a long time, have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, or you have any concerns.

I hope you start to improve your life, improve your working day and importantly enjoy yourself!