Physical exercises crucial role in maintaining a healthy work-life

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All work without play makes jack a dull boy this is a popular proverb that is often overlooked. The proverb tries to show us that when we allow our work, business or even school to take over and eventually take centerstage in our lives, our physical and mental health suffer will immensely. In order to be successful, it is paramount that there is a clear balance in every aspect of your life. Most importantly maintaining a healthy work life balance. This essay sheds light on how physical exercise ensures that our personal heath and lives remain intact and healthy helping us avoid burnout.

Physical exercises crucial role

This can be achieved by physical exercise. The common assumption on physical exercise is that it needs to be done in the gym. Contrast to popular belief, physical exercise can take any shape or form, it can include going to the gym, going for a walk, going on a hike, taking a yoga or platies class. It can also be done in the comfort of your own home. Taking time from your busy schedule and prioritizing self-care in the form of physical exercise can be of so much benefit. We should not compromise our exercise routine and maintain a healthy work-life balance by forcing yourself to step away from work and focus on your health.

 

Regular physical activity is essential and has numerous benefits such as:

1. Stress Reduction and Mental Health: Physical exercise is known to reduce stress and anxiety while promoting mental well-being. Engaging in regular exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, and helps manage the effects of chronic stress (Salmon, 2001). Stress can bring about other types of illnesses and in turn can affect an individual’s productivity in work and how they interact with their workmates and when they are at home with their families. Exercising can be a sort of outlet for all these negative energy and emotions one might have, if an individual is not able to talk out their feelings this can be a healthier way of dealing with them and releasing.
2. Improved Physical Health: Regular exercise contributes to better physical health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It enhances cardiovascular health, strengthens the immune system, and helps maintain a healthy weight (Warburton et al., 2006). Individual have been encouraged to move their bodies regularly to improve their physical health.
3. Enhanced Energy and Productivity: Engaging in physical activity can boost energy levels and cognitive function, improving focus and productivity at work (Kubota et al., 2011) this boost helps the individual to be more productive in their individual tasks and at the work place. It also promotes creativity and innovation in individuals.
4. Better Sleep Patterns: Eight hours of sleep is the recommended healthy amount of sleep that an adult requires to perform at their maximum. When one does not get this enough

sleep, they tend to reduce in productivity and burnout begins to creep in. Regular exercise can help regulate sleep patterns, leading to improved sleep quality. This, in turn, contributes to increased alertness and better performance during working hours (Banno et al., 2018).

5. Work-Life Balance and Time Management: Including exercise in your daily routine helps you allocate time for self-care and personal well-being. It reinforces the importance of setting boundaries and managing time effectively (Casper et al., 2007). Setting and maintain these clear boundaries and sticking to your schedule will ensure there is always time for self-care in whatever form it will be.

Conclusion

Selfcare and specifically exercise is one of the most overlooked things. There is always enough time for everything, creating that time especially for ourselves is the most important thing. The benefits of selfcare not only to ourselves but to those around us is very important. It will increase and solidify existing relationships, create new ones and improve our health. Organizations should also take a role of encouraging their employees to be more physical active and to organize more team building activities. This will in-turn create more productive employees.

 

References

1. Banno, M., Harada, Y., Taniguchi, M., Tobita, R., Tsujimoto, H., Tsujimoto, Y., & Kataoka, Y. (2018). Exercise can improve sleep quality: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine, 54, 40-47.
2. Casper, W. J., Eby, L. T., Bordeaux, C., Lockwood, A., & Lambert, D. (2007). A review of research methods in IO/OB work–family research. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(1), 28-43.
3. Kubota, Y., Tanaka, H., Nakamura, K., & Sudo, N. (2011). Psychological effects of short‐term severe dietary restriction in young and old males and females. Psychogeriatrics, 11(3), 168-176.
4. Salmon, P. (2001). Effects of physical exercise on anxiety, depression, and sensitivity to stress: a unifying theory. Clinical Psychology Review, 21(1), 33-61.
5. Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 174(6), 801-809.