Think you don’t have time to exercise? Think again! If you want to be more productive, whether at home or at work, then you may want to make time each day to exercise. In fact, studies show that regular exercise can help boost productivity while a sedentary lifestyle can make people less productive in all areas of their lives.
One study of workplace productivity found that employees who added moderate exercise to their daily routine showed “a significant improvement in all aspects of employee psychological well-being (such as confidence, self-esteem, sleep and concentration levels) and a significant reduction in all types of stress.” Many employees who added exercise to their daily routine experienced lower blood pressure and weight loss. Numerous physical benefits can contribute to enhanced mental performance. Exercise improves cardiovascular health, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Exercise also helps to reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the brain. Inflammation has been linked with reduced cognitive function and increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Physical exercise also has mental benefits. Even short periods of exercise can improve brain function and memory. Numerous studies have shown that regular exercise can improve cognitive function and protect against cognitive decline.
One of the most important benefits of exercise is its ability to improve executive function. Executive function skills are important for planning, organizing, and prioritizing tasks. Exercise has been shown to improve these skills in both children and adults.
In addition to improving executive function, exercise also increases levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF is a protein that helps to promote the growth and survival of neurons. Higher levels of BDNF have been linked with improved cognitive function and protection against cognitive decline.
So, if you’re looking for a secret weapon to help you boost your productivity, make sure you get some exercise! Try walking for thirty minutes a day, even if you have to break it into smaller time spans throughout the day. Over time, try to sneak more exercise into your day with these strategies: