Staying Fit to Stay Sharp in Your Career

Why do workplaces like yahoo have volleyball and basketball courts on site? I have noticed a theme in my research the last few weeks. Every article I read or news story I pick up discusses the benefits of exercise in the workplace. I have seen some fabulous examples where companies actually have fitness centers on site. Employees are actually encouraged to use these facilities during their lunch break or after work hours. Exercising and staying fit have a huge impact on your productivity level and your career. That’s why companies like yahoo are so successful; they understand that if you give people time to stay fit, they will produce better results for the company.

 

For those of you who do not work in a place that offers fitness activities, it still is very important to incorporate exercise into your workday. Though it may feel like one more thing to do, there are actually great benefits, besides just burning calories.

 

Here are some ways that exercise can improve your mind, not just your waist line:

 

  • Increased energy level: It is easy to feel lethargic after sitting at a desk for 8 hours straight. That’s why exercise and movement is so important. The movement engages different parts of your body and mind; it will actually give you the momentum you need to get through the afternoon slump. If you stare at a computer screen for hours on end in the same position you actually lose focus. Shifting your mind and body to another activity can actually create more focus on tasks.

 

  • Decreased stress level: Stress seems to be a normal part of the workplace for most people. Though it is normal for many, it is not healthy and has an adverse affect on your productivity in the workplace. Exercise can decrease your stress level, thereby helping you to make clear decisions and increase your productivity.

 

  • Less prone to illness: Exercise and eating well helps your body naturally fight off illness. Those sick days can put you behind and make you feel more stressed to catch up to your normal productivity level.

 

  • Goal-setting mind-set: Committing to an exercise routine and a healthy lifestyle requires you to set and achieve goals. When you meet this challenge in a fitness routine, it is easy to transfer these skills into the workplace. You have developed a system for implementing and achieving goals that can help you be more productive and success in the workplace.

 

  • Helps creativity: People often have tons of ideas in their minds, but aren’t sure what to do with them. When you put your body in motion, your ideas form with more clarity and a framework is developed that can be used in projects. Whenever I feel stumped about the solution to a project or idea, I get physical. The solution often arrives when I am not forcing it, but am letting my mind do its own process as I focus on my body.

 

The problem at work could be a myriad of things: you’re too tired, you’re stressed, you don’t feel well, or you just can’t meet that monthly goal. The solution to overcoming fatigue, stress, and poor work performance is the same: get out and move. It will keep you focused, energized and ready to perform to your highest ability.

 

Laura Tirello is a Career and Life Coach. Her company, Core Life Design, works with people who are looking to find their highest potential both in their careers and personal lives. Are you looking for ways to turn your ideas into goals? Get a copy of my *free* special report: “5 Ways to Eliminate Idea Overwhelm”.  Visit corelifedesign.com for more information. Laura can be contacted at Laura@corelifedesign.com

Share this:Share on Facebook0Tweet about this on Twitter0Share on Google+0Share on LinkedIn0Pin on Pinterest0Share on StumbleUpon0Share on TumblrEmail this to someone

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>