Exercise for Your Business?

We all work hard throughout the year, most of us days and evenings and some weekends. Hard work can help with business success, but, we can’t stay on high-energy mode all the time. Eventually, we get tired, our productivity and desire to work at our businesses wanes and we become less happy doing what we chose to do as business owners.

Sometimes we may feel strange or even guilty of stopping work earlier than usual to do something for ourselves, but, we must do it. Exercise, for example, is an activity that some people don’t enjoy and that others would like to do, if we “had time.” I have fallen into the latter category too many times. But, the amazing thing about exercise is it clears your mind, meaning, while you are moving your body and your endorphins (happy brain chemicals) rise, you are able to think more clearly, and ideas naturally come into your head, instead of just sitting at your desk worrying or being stuck on a problem. It also helps us think faster, which means we don’t have to spend as many hours working on our businesses to get the same things accomplished, although we may actually make better decisions and do a better job because we have worked fewer hours and we’ve gained the benefits of exercise.

In other words, exercising regularly can make us more productive when working at our businesses, which means is great for business!

Exercise also relieves stress and it is very good for the body and for our overall mental health. Regular exercise can help you have better overall focus, you will feel healthier, more positive, stronger, and you may see positive changes in your body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels. It can also make you want to eat healthier. It’s like a double-bonus.. you get the benefits of exercise, and it is easier to eat healthier, which will make you fitter and healthier – or you could do the opposite > no exercise and have more desire for junk food, which leads to decreased fitness and poorer health.

A change in venue for your exercise can also be helpful. It could be in another room in the house, or out of the house altogether.  

There are so many exercise options to choose from – indoor or outdoor cycling, tennis, golf (only counts as exercise if you walk the course), group sports, walking, running, swimming, dance, martial arts, aqua fitness, other group classes in person or online via videos. There are many apps that can give you ideas and help you stay on track too, or you could hire a Personal Trainer to get you started.

On top of that, you may be able to get actual work done while you are exercising. Do you have emails or social media messages to read or reply to, content you need to read, document you need to write? Have a seat on a stationary bicycle and get it done while you pedal – it’s the ultimate multi-tasking opportunity.

With that said, it’s time for me to practice what I preach. I went to the gym for the first time in a long time yesterday. I will do my best to keep going at least 1-3 times a week.

All the best with your exercise-business journey.

Tammy Defoe.