The Benefits of Regular Exercise for Business Professionals

We all know that exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It helps us stay physically active as we age. Exercise helps us maintain flexibility and agility. It builds strength and muscle. And it has been shown to elevate our mood.   

Many people try to include exercise as a regular part of their day by making that stop at the local gym before work. But many more people, especially busy professionals, just can’t seem to find the time. It’s understandable.   

Today’s mental health therapists, mental health counselors, and professionals are expected to do more, accomplish more, and work longer hours – especially if they want to stay competitive. All that activity during the day might feel like exercise to some of us, but it leaves very little time or energy to incorporate real exercise into your routine. And studies have shown that exercise has more than just physical benefits but improves our mental acuity as well!  

Here’s why exercise is important, even for the suit and tie gang, and how dedicating some time to physical activity can help your brain work better.   

Exercising Your Body for Your Brain  

A study published by the NIH showed a direct correlation between physical activity and improved cognitive processing. The study involved two groups of participants, and each group either engaged in 15 minutes of moderate exercise or a sedentary activity. The groups both completed tests of working memory before and after their activities.   

The results found that the group who performed moderate activity performed the memory task faster after the exercise, leading to the conclusion that exercise has an immediate effect on our ability to process and retain information.   

Another study from Leeds Metropolitan University found that workers who had access to an on-site gym and the ability to break for exercise during their normal working hours gained an increase in productivity, easier interactions with coworkers, better time management, and greater overall satisfaction with their jobs.   

So, not only does exercise benefit us when we incorporate it into our daily routines, but companies who make an effort to provide access to exercise during the workday are rewarded with happier, less stressed, and more productive employees.   

What It Means for You  

There are many in-depth and scientific studies that have proved the positive health benefits of exercise, and more research is being done into the effects that exercise has on our cognitive function. What we do know is that incorporating regular exercise into your day can provide a list of benefits, including: 

• Greater energy  

• Improved memory  

• Greater ability to concentrate   

• Faster information retention  

• Prolonged mental stamina  

• Lower stress  

• Improved quality of life  

• Improved mood   

If you take a look at this list, it’s easy to see how a little bit of exercise every day can have a positive effect on our work performance. Everyone wants better memory and concentration. Everyone could benefit from more energy and less stress. And for the busy professional, the ability to be more productive and effective at work is priceless.   

Exercise in Action in Mental Health

Mental health therapists face a tremendous amount of stress during a typical workday. Because of this, they are prone to burnout and the development of other stress related disorders. And they’re certainly capable of feeling bogged down under the weight of their daily work activities. 

Exercise is a vital component for maintaining a healthy body and mind. This is especially true for professionals who are pursuing mental health therapists jobs, nursing career paths, or teaching career paths. Adding an exercise regime to your daily routine is one of the best ways to manage stress, improve your mood, and get that energy boost you’re looking for. 

Don’t feel like you have to hit the gym for three hours everyday. Even fifteen minutes of exercise before starting a workday or before a lunch break can make a huge difference. Try to change it up and do something you really enjoy. Take a walk outside, hit a quick yoga class, or take a swim. Make it fun! 

Conclusion  

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to spend hours at the gym to gain the benefits of exercise. Even 15 minutes of activity every day can provide amazing results. And incorporating a few minutes of regular exercise every day helps us build a habit that is easier to maintain, rather than trying to make huge life changes that are quickly and easily abandoned.