GROWING your career and achieving success at your job doesn’t just rely on the skills or knowledge you have; it also depends greatly on you staying healthy and productive.
A study by Robert Pozen, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, found that a healthy mind and body that comes with a regular exercise routine could make you happier, smarter and more energetic.
Exercise brings both physical and mental benefits.
What is it about exercise that can help to enhance your productivity at work or get you ahead in your career?
1. Energy level booster and builder
Scientists have said that exercise enhances the body’s ability to transfer glucose and oxygen throughout the brain and body. This helps in boosting your energy levels. So, consider going for a jog either before work or after. Studies have shown low-intensity exercise routines, such as walking or strength training, are more than enough to gain such benefits. To start off, maybe you can take a walk in the park after work every day.
2. Relieves stress and allows more focused thinking
That simple 30-minute walk every day that you’re starting to do, actually helps in reducing stress. Due to the increase in energy levels, the stress levels in your body become more manageable, which should help you relax and calm down. When you’re in this state of mind, it allows you to think with a bit more focus.
3. Improves brain function
Incorporating a regular exercise routine stimulates blood flow. The improved energy levels from exercise allow for better learning or processing of information. Of course, the brain is said to be another muscle you can train by engaging in exercises. The best way to exercise the brain though is by having the good habit of reading. Read a book every week or a book chapter a day. Many successful people read on a daily basis, so why not make it your habit too?
4. Builds teamwork and camaraderie
If getting into an exercise routine isn’t your thing, getting involved in sporting activities with colleagues or friends may be the way to go. If you have colleagues, who are into badminton or football, you could organise a weekly game or two every week. Apart from getting a good workout, this can foster teamwork and camaraderie, in and out of the office. We spend a great deal of time with colleagues, so engaging in healthy sports activities is a fun way to strengthen the team.
5. Builds networks
Sporting activities are also a great way for you to broaden your professional network. Depending on your sport of choice, there are many groups out there that you can join, such as hash runners, cyclists, golfers, tennis, and badminton, among others. You’re bound to find like-minded people with the same interests, and the connections you make today might even help you in your career in the future.
This is a weekly column by SarawakYES! — an initiative driven by Faradale Media-M Sdn Bhd and supported by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak — to provide advice and stories on the topics of education and careers to support Sarawakians seeking to achieve their dreams. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.