As a busy professional, putting out fires, conquering evil doers and making the world a better place is all in a day’s work for you. While this unfailing commitment to working on your company’s success is virtuous, it’s kind of a pity because you could add so much more depth and creativity with a mere 30 minutes of daily exercise. Exercise, in fact, could be the savviest investment you can ever make towards the success of you and your business. Here are 8 reasons why you should always keep your date with your Nikes.
Improved Creativity
Exercise has a tremendous effect on your ability to not only think and solve problems but also to create. In fact, studies have shown that every dimension of cognition, including creativity, can improve by exercising. Does 30 minutes a day of exercise sound too steep of a proposition in return for improved creativity?
Energy Booster
When you need a blast of energy you likely reach for a cup of coffee or an energy drink right? The problem with this is that it creates a vicious cycle. After the initial spike of energy, you eventually crash to the floor again, thereby needing another hit. Physical activity, on the other hand, delivers longer lasting energy sans crash. Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your heart and lungs work more efficiently, thereby providing you with more oomph to slay dragons and keep on going.
Increased Focus and Concentration
Research shows that regular booty shaking can improve your ability to focus and concentrate. When you exercise you flood the prefrontal cortex part of your brain with a chemical concoction, particularly dopamine, that improves focus and concentration. So when you have tons of balls in the air, this extra dose of focus and concentration can go a long way in helping them all stay in the air.
Live Longer
No mystery here but research has shown that regular physical activity can add extra years to your life. In all likelihood, these years will also be enjoyed with better health. With the short amount of time we all have on this earth, this means you have more time to do those things personally and professionally that are most important to you.
Improved Sleep
Struggling to fall asleep? Or to stay asleep? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep, keeping you alert throughout the day and better prepared to tackle the task of moving your business forward. Just don’t exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to fall asleep.
Bumped Up Mood & Noggin Functioning
Exercise has been found to reduce depression and anxiety, illnesses that can take a hammer to your mental functioning. Over time, exercise has also been shown to help curb the mental effects of aging, perhaps even Alzheimer’s. It can also help you to improve your mood by allowing you to blow off steam and by stimulating various brain chemicals, helps you feel happier and more relaxed.
Exercise Puts the Zing Back in your Sex Life
Do you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Research from the Mayo Clinic shows that regular physical activity can help you get your sexual mojo back. It leaves you feeling energized and looking better. Regular physical activity can also lead to enhanced arousal for both women and men.
The Bottom Line
By far the most common excuse I hear why most people don’t exercise is that they just don’t have the time. I’d like to counter that you don’t have time not too. Regular physical activity makes us more healthy, happy, energetic, creative and focused. For an investment of just 30 minutes a day, who wouldn’t want all that?
