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February 25, 2019

4 ways staying active in the workplace will positively impact you

Not everybody is physically equipped to run ultra-marathons or deadlift 200 kilograms, but most of us should be able to dedicate a couple of hours per week to some form of exercise.

More often than not, the daily demands of a full-time jobs tend to take priority over going to the gym or popping out for a walk or run. However, this shouldn’t be the case – you should always make time for some form of activity and make your health a priority.

Staying active in the workplace doesn’t just benefit your general health and well-being, it can have great benefits on your day-to-day motivation and your career too!
Check out these four incredible benefits of staying active during the work week.


Productivity

Physical activity has been proven to enhance the quality of your work and overall performance in the office.
Exercise can increase your motivation levels as it stimulates the brain and releases endorphins, making you feel happier and healthier, essentially making you more productive. Aerobic exercise is reinvigorating, allowing your mind and body to reset, enhancing your mental capacity, alertness and enthusiasm.

We have all experienced that mid-afternoon lull, when you’re reaching for a coffee or energy drink. However, it has been proven that exercise can minimise that 3pm crash, even though it may seem counter-intuitive. Staying active in the workplace can increase your energy levels and eliminate fatigue, translating to a boost in productivity!


Stress

In recent years, increasing workloads and competitive marketplaces have led to a steady increase of stress levels. Regular exercise has a huge impact on reducing these negative feelings and is considered vital for maintaining mental fitness.

Scientists have found that regular participation in aerobic exercise decreases overall levels of tension, elevates and stabilizes mood, improves sleep, and improves self-esteem. Even five minutes of aerobic exercise can stimulate anti-anxiety effects.

As well as this, exercise is very effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration, and enhancing overall cognitive function. This can be especially helpful when stress has depleted your energy or ability to concentrate.


Confidence

Exercise can have a significant impact on your self-esteem and propel you forward in your career. As you’ll be feeling mentally strong and have raised energy levels, you’ll feel ready to take on anything your day throws at you.
With exercise improving mental function and focus, you will be able to complete your goals more efficiently, thus improving your confidence at work!

Any regular exercise can have a great impact on a person’s self-confidence so make sure your take the time to fit some in today.


Health

People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing many long-term conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.

Understandably work can get in the way but staying active during the work week is imperative and has endless benefits, both personally and professionally!

Your daily dose of exercise can include anything from going for a walk or run on your lunch break, taking the stairs instead of the lift, cycling to and from work or popping to the gym for a quick session when you can spare some time to put your health and well-being first!

Employers and office managers should promote your health and wellbeing by doing what they can to encourage these types of behaviours. Staying active in the workplace isn’t just a responsibility that should fall on your shoulders, it is a collective responsibility that should be facilitated in your workplace.

This could include anything from a cycle to work scheme, lunch-time running clubs, group HIIT workouts, yoga – the list goes on!


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