Joelle Laguillo Bernheimer is a health a fitness professional with over a decade of experience in the field. In the article below, Joelle Laguillo Bernheimer discusses the link between physical fitness and productivity.
It’s common knowledge that regular exercise has immense benefits to the body and mind. Working out supports the heart, increases blood flow throughout the body, and strengthens muscles and bones. For those looking to boost productivity, taking part in daily exercise should be high on the to-do list.
The relationship between physical fitness and productivity is quite strong. Studies show that exercising regularly increases productivity, performance, and overall mood says Joelle Laguillo Bernheimer.
The Link Between Productivity and Exercise
There is a common misconception that mental health and physical health are completely separate systems. On the contrary, physical fitness has a strong relationship to mental health, and vice versa says Joelle Laguillo Bernheimer. Productivity, a mental attribute, is thus highly affected by our day-to-day physical activity.
People who exercise regularly have higher productivity rates and more positive attitudes at the workplace than those who do not. The brain is also part of the body that benefits from exercise, which many tend to forget says Joelle Laguillo.
Mental Health and Self-Discipline
Things like accomplishing goals and being self-motivated make people feel better about themselves. Exercise gives one the opportunity to push the body to new limits, leaving one feeling mentally and physically stronger says Joelle Laguillo. Physical fitness has been shown to help reduce the impacts of depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and self-esteem.
A huge aspect of productivity is the ability to stay focused even when the task at hand isn’t all that fascinating. Sometimes exercise is painful, boring, and grueling, but it still needs to get done. Working out allows the mind to practice self-discipline when it pushes through those uncomfortable feelings. Mental toughness translates from the physical body to the mind explains Joelle Bernheimer.
Reduces Stress and Boosts Energy
Stress is an inevitable part of life. Most often, stress is evoked at the workplace, but it can come about in taxing home situations and personal lives, too. Some amounts of stress are normal – it’s the body’s response to threatening situations. However, being in a constant state of stress is damaging to the brain. Long term stress has harmful effects to cognition, heart health, and respiratory health says Joelle Bernheimer.
Studies are finding that exercise is a healthy stressor on the mind and body that could possibly prepare the brain to deal with future stressful situations. Extreme stress involves a heightened heartbeat, tense muscles, and racing thoughts.
Working out strengthens the heart, relaxes muscles, and bolsters the respiratory system. In addition to helping cope with stress, exercise increases mental toughness that comes in handy during stressful situations and decision making.
On top of that, exercise boosts the mood. Exercise provides a sense of accomplishment, promotes healthy habits, socialization, and helps with sleep. This positive energy makes its way into the workplace and helps to increase workplace attitude and productivity.
How much Exercise is enough?
Joelle Laguillo Bernheimer explains that exercise can have a huge impact on productivity and overall mental health. But how much exercise is necessary? A minimum of 30 minutes per day or 2 to 4 hours per week of aerobic exercise is enough to start having the impact of increased productivity.
Aerobic exercises are ones that increase the heart rate. While doing these, heart rate will increase, breathing becomes heavy, and sweating is common. These exercises include:
• Swimming
• Running
• Walking
• Yoga
• Group Sports
• Cycling
• Jump roping
• Dancing
Exercises that get the heart pumping are the ones that deliver oxygen throughout the body and have the best effect on heart and brain health. The researched correlation between physical activity and mental health paints a clear picture of how one can increase their productivity this way explains Joelle Laguillo Bernheimer.
Working out can be a daunting task to those who haven’t done it in a while. Setting small goals goes a long way and is more attainable for beginners. Start off by walking for 30 minutes per day. Gradually increase time and/or intensity of the workout as comfortability increases.
The Bottom Line
Everyone wants to be more productive – to get more done in the least amount of time possible. There are countless tools, apps, supplements, and products that claim to increase productivity like no other. The bottom line is that one of the best tools for increasing productivity is absolutely free – exercise says Joelle Laguillo.
Growing evidence shows that physical activity has a positive impact on productivity because it:
• Improves mood and attitude
• Practices self-discipline
• Has a positive impact on overall mental health
• Reduces stress
• Boosts energy
• Helps to maintain a healthy sleep schedule
• Makes the body feel good
By stimulating blood flow and oxygen flow through the body and brain, exercise promotes overall health and wellness. It also strengthens the mental muscles responsible for decision making, managing stress, and ignoring distractions.
