The Benefits of Regular Exercise on Productivity

Over the last few decades, our day-to-day lives have become increasingly complicated with more distractions than ever before. This problem is now compounded by a lack of separation between work and home. We live in a world of constant communication and instant responses — regularly wasting hours browsing social media or streaming our favorite shows. What’s more is that our productivity is greatly impacted by what we do outside of work hours, hinging on the ability to think clearly, the drive to start a project and the stamina to complete the work. 

Sleep, nutrition and stress management are all important factors to harnessing your productivity, and all of these can be improved by regular exercise. Moving your body, whether it’s cardio or strength training, is an important, manageable and often overlooked factor of becoming more productive. Whether you like to get moving before your day starts, sneak in a lunch-break workout or prefer an end-of-day sweat session, your productivity will thank you for taking the time to hit the gym. 

Regular exercise helps you gain cardiovascular endurance, which gives you more energy to complete your projects without tiring out. This is incredibly beneficial for tasks that require stamina, from yard work and housekeeping to a job that requires physical labor. If you find that you are often starting a task but not able to complete it, exercise may be the missing component to increase your ability to push through to the finish line. 

When you exercise, you provide more blood flow to the brain, which in turn increases your cognitive output. Your ability to think clearly and stay alert throughout the day will improve as a result, and you’ll find it easier to focus, problem-solve and complete tasks that would otherwise be mentally draining. Conversely, if you fall off a fitness routine, you’ll notice an increase in your mental exhaustion throughout the workday and a general lack of motivation and focus. 

Let’s face it, a lot of days when we’re unproductive, we are actively procrastinating. Procrastination is frequently tied to depression and anxiety. Regular exercise improves your mental health and overall well-being, allowing you to feel more prepared, less anxious and ready to tackle the tasks ahead with less hesitation and more drive. In addition to the obvious benefits of exercise to improve mental health, including increased serotonin and endorphin levels, the ability to achieve uncomfortable and challenging benchmarks in the gym helps you gain the confidence to do the same outside of the gym in a professional or personal setting. 

When you find yourself in a slump in your work or home life, struggling to start or complete your day-to-day, check in on your daily habits. Taking just 30 minutes a day to move your body will make a lasting and noticeable impact on your energy levels, focus, and overall productivity.

Additionally, evening out your sleep schedule, dialing in your nutrition, and finding tools to manage your stress levels will all add up to a healthier, more vibrant and more productive you.

About the Author

Leahy is a Minneapolis transplant in East Austin and is a certified personal trainer, award-winning interior designer, and former gym owner. She offers in-person and online training with an emphasis on strength training and building confidence in and out of the gym. Leahy’s passion for strength extends to your business, with a full offering of gym design and business consulting services.