Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your mental and physical health. But it’s not just about getting into shape. Exercise has a lot of benefits that can help you in work life too, including less stress. Exercise increases productivity for some people too. How so? By clearing your mind and releasing endorphins—feel-good hormones that decrease your perception of pain and improve mood.
When you’re physically active, you’ll have more energy to focus on the task at hand. If you do have a certain activity that requires concentration, exercise will help keep your mind fresh and energized. While exercise can do that, it can actually do a lot more to help you improve your concentration and how you feel overall. So, here are five other ways exercise can improve your productivity!
1. Exercise boosts the brain’s energy levels
To create new neural pathways and encourage the growth of neurons, the brain needs a great deal of energy. Exercise is a natural way to boost your energy levels, as it increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
There are even studies that have proven this too. A recent study by the University of British Columbia (UBC) found that people who exercise have higher energy levels. Within a couple of weeks of regular exercise, some people notice a major difference.
2. Better sleep quality: Another way exercise improves productivity
Have you ever just struggled to fall asleep? Maybe you were laying in bed thinking about what Stephen Troese Jr writes about football. If you’re struggling to get in those Zzz’s then exercise may help you out.
Exercise has many benefits for the body. Your sleep quality can improve significantly just from exercising. Also, people who exercise are less likely to develop insomnia.
Exercise increases serotonin in the body, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and sleep. When serotonin levels are higher, it’s easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
So, if you’re someone who regularly struggles to fall asleep, this activity could be something to try. Always make sure your doctor agrees that you’re doing a fitness routine that is safe for you before starting anything new.
3. Exercise can reduce stress and anxiety
It’s no surprise that exercise is a key component in lowering stress and anxiety levels. In fact, it has been shown to provide significant relief to those who suffer from anxiety.
Some of the benefits of exercise are improved mood, higher self-esteem, lower risk for cardiovascular disease, and more. If you’re feeling the pressure at work, take a break and get moving!
4. Exercise improves productivity: Strengthen problem-solving skills
How many times have you been faced with a problem and then immediately thought of the best solution? And then you forget what it was, as soon as you had the thought.
It’s usually due to the lack of flow into the brain. That is because, when humans exercise brain cells, they produce more oxygen and more blood flow to the brain.
5. Potential to reduce workplace accidents
New research shows that exercise can reduce the risk of workplace accidents. The study found that workers who took breaks for physical activity had fewer accidents, injuries, and missed workdays.
Also, by improving strength through certain exercises, some folks are able to become better at physical jobs, which can reduce injury. For example, the exercises may make heavy lifting at work easier on the body.
Exercise is a magical panacea for me, for sure. Of course, there are illnesses that can’t be cured through exercise, but for everything else, it really does help. I’ve noticed improvements in self-esteem and sleep, for one. And I always make better decisions post-exercise. Anyway, thanks for this post!
Hi Christy, these are good points and the reason a lot of corporates install gyms on the premises or pay for memberships for employees.
Yes, my husband’s workplace has a gym there. It really is a good idea
That makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. When I was looking for a job, I noticed the job descriptions promised gym memberships.