2 min readEnhancewell
What’s the key to success?
Is it a good education? Putting in long hours? An incredible team? Years of experience?
You might be surprised at one of the leading factors, according to executives who earn more than $100K annually. When a job search company polled 1,300 executives on how weight affects their work, three-quarters of the group said good physical fitness is "critical for career success at the executive level."
Why is physical fitness imperative to success? Let’s find out, with these 4 reasons an exercise routine will benefit your career.
Exercise produces endorphins
In the words of Elle Woods (Legally Blonde), "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands." Happy people are also more successful. A study by Oxford shows that happy workers are 13% more productive. Productivity leads to increased business earnings and an increase in your value to the company. A 2011 study found that endorphins are released after just 30 minutes of exercise. Just a half-hour of working out can boost your business acumen.
A fitness regimen wires your brain for routine
Exercise isn’t just good for the body; it’s good for the brain. In an article for CNBC, neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki, Ph.D., says exercise can increase the size of the brain’s hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, potentially protecting your brain from neurodegenerative diseases and the effects of aging. She also points to research that shows a link between exercise and neurogenesis, or the creation of new brain cells. When you need new ideas and enhanced memory– exercise is a great way to create a better brain.
Long term success starts on day one
Success in business doesn’t happen overnight– it can take years to see the results of your hard work. People who follow a fitness regimen know physical results aren’t instantaneous. Applying that mentality to business results in long-term thinking and mental strength to push through when success seems far away.
Speaking of mental strength…
How many times have you wanted to give up halfway through a long-distance run or an excruciatingly long plank hold? The endurance needed to push through difficult exercises builds mental strength and resilience which translates well in the business world. When the work gets tough, employees who pushed through hundreds of mornings at the gym are equipped to push through any roadblock on the way to achieving their goals.
Gyms often emphasize the physical benefits of exercise, and while it feels good to look good, perhaps we should focus on the abstract benefits exercise provides.