8 Reasons All Entrepreneurs Should Invest In An Exercise Routine

If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re probably not looking to add another item to your to-do list.

But hear me out; it’s worth incorporating exercise into your regular routine.

That’s because exercise doesn’t just make you physically healthier, but it also increases your ability to be thoughtful, creative and productive.

Thereby, it will help improve your performance on the job.

Put that way, exercise isn’t just another chore to squeeze in between meetings, emails and pitching investors.

It’s a critical factor in creating and sustaining a thriving business.

Need some convincing?

Here are eight ways exercise can supercharge your work:

1. It’ll energize your brain.

People who exercise benefit from a jolt of mental and physical energy that can last throughout the day.

That means you’ll be able to stay focused, feel alert and be intellectually productive for longer than people who remain sedentary day in and day out.

2. It’ll stimulate your creativity.

Exercising on a regular basis has been shown to boost creativity in general, although the effects may be most powerful shortly after a workout.

One study found that exercisers can enjoy a post-workout peak in creativity for up to two hours after a sweat session.

Use this information to plan workouts strategically.

Try to hit the gym a few hours before important meetings or brainstorming sessions.

3. It’ll make you a better learner.

A good workout can make you a better and faster learner by increasing your ability to memorize and process new information.

Working out has even been shown to improve problem-solving abilities by as much as 20 percent.

4. It’ll make you more productive.

One study found that people who exercised in the middle of the workday were 23 percent more productive than on days when they didn’t exercise.

That’s because a midday workout can reinvigorate your brain, allowing you to refocus, think more clearly and work more efficiently for the rest of the day.

5. It’ll relieve anxiety.

Hitting the gym can immediately reduce stress and improve your mood, while exercising on a regular basis can have similar effects over the long haul.

That means you’ll be better equipped to handle work stressors and less likely to snap at colleagues, which can improve relations at work.

Feeling happier has also been linked to increased productivity.

6. It’ll help you sleep better.

Regular exercise has been shown to improve sleep quality and decrease daytime drowsiness.

This is critical because sleep is hugely important to work performance.

Feeling well-rested on a regular basis can improve your memory, boost your creativity and even increase your ability to make good decisions.

7. It’ll keep you mentally sharp, even as you age.

Exercising doesn’t just help you concentrate after a workout; it can also keep your brain sharp for the long term.

Research in mice suggests that working out on a regular basis can slow down the process of cognitive decline that naturally takes place as we age.

A consistent exercise routine will keep your mind sharp and up your brain cell count over the long haul; so get ready to out-think your peers well into your 70s.

8. It’ll improve your self-confidence.

Exercise has been shown to boost self-esteem and promote a positive self-image, thereby elevating self-worth.

That means you’ll be able to make decisions that are more in line with your company’s authentic values, instead of getting swept up in the pressures and uncertainties involved in being an entrepreneur.

Ready to develop an exercise routine?

To get started, add at least 30 minutes of cardio to your schedule three times a week.

For maximum impact, aim to squeeze in at least some physical activity every day.

And if people ask you why you’re taking a gym break in the middle of the day, tell them it’s for the good of the company.