Exercise is beneficial in many ways.  We know the many health-related benefits regarding exercise and it goes far beyond weight management.  It can protect you from heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Exercise can also help prevent back pain by increasing muscle strength and improving flexibility.

Did you know that benefits of exercise reach beyond just health?  A few minutes of exercise daily can help increase productivity as well.  A lot of us could use a little help when it comes to productivity.  It improves concentration allowing you to focus on the things at hand.

Exercise helps improve your memory.  Most of us have experienced the dreaded afternoon work slump. If you’ve ever found that taking a walk helps you perk up, then you’ve seen first-hand how exercise can keep you more alert.  Harvard University’s Men’s Health Watch found that exercise releases brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF.  This chemical improves the function of memory circuits in the brain, which means that regular exercise can support improved memory.

Physical activity will increase your feel-good endorphins as well. These chemicals trigger positive feelings in your body leaving you ready to face the day ahead with a positive outlook.

If coming up with new ideas is part of your days, don’t worry, exercise can help with that, too!  It helps to increase your creativity.  I get some of my best ideas during a good cardio session.

One study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology investigated the effects of walking (both indoors and outdoors) on creativity. The study’s authors found that walking caused an average of a 60 percent increase in creative output.

Because exercise helps with concentration, improves memory, creativity, and releases feel-good endorphins it also helps you learn quicker.  Sitting through seminars or lengthy meeting will be less of a challenge and you will actually be able to walk away with an abundance of information.

How you get started?  Walking is a great way to get these benefits.  You could try pushups or jumping jacks.  Just get busy moving! Lewis Haulk wrote in the School of Greatness:  If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of your business.

Take care of yourself so you can take care of whatever your business is.  The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150 minutes of exercise a week.  You don’t have to start there but you have to start somewhere.  Set your goal for this week and REACH for it!

You can do it!

Alli