We all know that exercise is great for the body, but did you know that it has a number of benefits for the mind and your career as well? In fact, exercise:
1) Gives You More Energy on the Job
Biologically, there a number of reasons for this, but you can put many of the benefits down to your mitochondria. Mitochondria are the “power plant” of your cells, as they produce ATP, the chemical your body uses for energy. Exercise helps promote the production of more mitochondria, which is why people who workout often have more energy than those who do not. And we all know what more energy means: greater productivity, and less nodding off at your desk.
2) Helps Maintain the Rate of New Brain Cell Production
As we age, our bodies produce new brain cells (a process called neurogenesis) at a slower and slower rate. However, several new studies are beginning to indicate that exercise can help maintain a higher rate of new brain cell production as we age. That’s great news, as new brain cells are of course inherent not only to thinking to learning new things. As such, neurogenesis is essential to growing your career and adapting to new conditions as they arise. If that’s not a good reason to get moving, we don’t know what it is!
3) Keeps You Happier
Cardiovascular exercise has long been known to release endorphins, the “happy hormone” responsible for phenomena like runner’s high. Often associated with this feeling is a much clearer and more relaxed state of mind. This has obvious benefits for the way you operate in the workplace, helping to decrease stress and help you feel happier and more satisfied overall. And when this is how you feel, you’ll be a lot more invested in your job and in brainstorming the kind of creative solutions at the heart of true innovation.
The good news? Even low-intensity workouts can help you achieve these many benefits. And of course, productivity rates increase even further when you pair a good round of exercise with ergonomic equipment. For a deeper look at the science behind why that is, we highly recommend reading this Huffington Post article.
Are you an avid exerciser? If so, how have you seen exercise affect the way you work? Let us know in the comments below.
