4 Reasons Why Executives Should Meditate and Exercise Daily

In today’s modern workplace, it’s essential that employers be on top of their game. There’s a constant fight to get and retain top talent and to provide a workplace environment where employees can feel both comfortable and inspired.

So how do executives create an environment of achievement like this?

In the best Bruce Lee tradition, the answer actually lies within.

For some time now, I have made exercise and meditation a part of my daily routine. Making time for both has been challenging, but it’s made all the difference for myself and my office. Taking time to exercise and meditate has given me the overall health and peace of mind that I’ve needed to solve difficult problems, optimize workplace productivity, and find the energy to lead.

You can't take care of others if you aren't taking care of yourself. Here are just a few benefits that I've found from my experiment with exercise and meditation:

1. Improved Health

Good health and productivity go hand in hand because they’re both products of self-discipline. When we make daily exercise part of our routine, we work toward a goal of physical health. When we regularly practice meditation, we work toward a goal of improved mental health. 

Integrating both of these into your life will allow you to improve you mental and physical condition, which in turn will help you to confidently and capably lead in your workplace.

2. Clarity & Focus

Meditation and daily exercise provide clarity and focus.  During the typical workday, many stresses arise. Especially for a dedicated leader working hard to push his or her business to the top, these stresses can pile up and sometimes feel overwhelming. 

Making time for meditation and daily exercise will relieve the stress of your day and allow you to regain the focus and determination you need to tackle those day-to-day obstacles that might otherwise prove too difficult or complex to manage.

Not only do they provide clarity for ideas and solutions to problems, but daily exercise and meditation also clear the mind, which makes it easier for you to express yourself. All of these benefits are vital for creating a productive workplace environment.

3. Emotional Intelligence

Meditation especially helps to develop emotional intelligence (EQ). The practice of daily meditation helps leaders understand and communicate with employees. 

When you, as a leader, can tell what the people who work for you are feeling – when you can see their overall energy level, body language, facial expressions, etc. – you will know how to better meet their needs. You’ll know how each individual that you work with needs to be supported and motivated in order to reach their potential.

The practice of meditation allows good leaders to foster an environment that is conducive to the needs of the people that work for them, increasing the overall performance in the workplace.

4. Improved Memory

Research and studies have shown that daily exercise improves memory. In fact, exercising for as little as 20 minutes a day can help information processing and memory functions in the brain. This will allow you to stay on top of your demanding schedule and stay productive when things start to pile up.

A sharp memory helps in all facets of business (and life). As you implement daily exercise into your routine, you’ll notice that, because your memory is improving, the problems and issues that present themselves each day become easier to solve. It’s been especially important for me to make sure that I remain physically active, because this has provided me with the mental sharpness I need.

In addition to the aforementioned advantages, dedicating time to daily exercise and meditation help increase resilience, creativity, energy and many other important traits. I’ve found that the mindfulness I get from daily exercise and meditation have been integral in giving me the edge that has helped me to be successful.

Rest assured that making daily exercise and meditation a priority each day will make you a better leader. You will think more clearly, relate to your employees better, and find better solutions to the issues you face.