The Movement of Feeling Good

In my previous post, I discussed the connection between exercise and courage. Experts tell us that when we’re eating well, sleeping well, and exercising consistently, we improve our bodies and our minds.

Feeling physically better affects how we feel emotionally. When I’m locked into healthy habits, I find I’m more courageous in my work and better company.

But have you ever considered how exercising during work-hours might impact your performance?

A study, as reported by the Harvard Business Review, compared days when employees exercised on site to days when they didn’t. Here’s what they found:

“On days when employees visited the gym, their experience at work changed. They reported managing their time more effectively, being more productive, and having smoother interactions with their colleagues. Just as important: They went home feeling more satisfied at the end of the day.”

When it comes to exercise, I know we all don’t have the ability to workout during work-hours onsite. In fact, we all face a genuine struggle to include fitness as part of our daily regimens due to workloads and demands of our jobs and families.

The author of the report, however, suggests the reason we do this is because we consider daily exercise as a luxury instead of a necessity.

So what if we changed our thinking and included exercise as part of, and essential to our daily schedule? Activity then becomes part of our calendar.

So, we have it on the calendar, great. But what about accountability? It’s easy just to skip it, or substitute a meeting for that lunch walk, or afternoon spin session, right?

Exercising in groups is the key. It not only provides accountability, but it also imparts encouragement from your colleagues and friends. And we all need that.

Here at the Chick-fil-A Support Center, we have an onsite fitness center and offer group classes as well as fitness consultants. But as good as pursuing fitness at work is, it’s the ongoing efforts when we return home that keep the healthy momentum going.

Imagine what it might look like to have an entire family committed to fitness, and other healthy choices. Like, for example, when you go on vacation finding ways to stay active instead of sitting for marathon movie nights. Choosing movement over inactivity.

We all need to develop healthy habits. And doing them together onsite and as family and friends, is a great way to ensure accountability, bolster encouragement, and unlock our true potential at home and in the workplace.

Photo by Maria Fernanda Gonzalez on Unsplash