How Regular Exercise & Movement Can Support Mindset in the Workplace

At some point in our lives, we have all experienced a major slump and a lack of energy at work. Walking around or sitting at a desk looking like Churchill the nodding dog. This can be down to a few reasons but one of the biggest reasons is down to the lack of movement and regular exercise.

Regular exercise has many benefits, but the most notable ones are increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain and the release of endorphins - happy hormones - which make you feel more alert and full of energy during your working day. Now I know what you're all thinking of a personal trainer getting you to exercise but exercise can be many things as it's not necessarily a run or a gym session lifting weights but the message is simple just MOVE more.

What is exercise? - a walk - a jog - a swim - a cycle - a gym session

It can literally be anything that will make you move more and elevate the heart rate and have you breathing a little bit faster, thus promoting blood flow and oxygen to the brain, releasing endorphins, making you feel more alert, energetic and productive. Make sure whatever you do you choose to do it with a smile it has to be enjoyable it doesn’t need to be difficult because if it is enjoyable you will want to do it more frequently. The more frequently you do it the higher the reward will be.

You don’t have to do it every day, start small and work your way towards bigger and better things. Make sure it fits in with your lifestyle as there is no point in doing something that is meant to benefit your mindset in the workplace when it causes you stress because it's too difficult to keep up with. Consistency is key, being 80% perfect 7 days a week is better than 100% perfect 3-4 days per week.

If you are feeling more alert and productive at work due to regular exercise this will in turn have many benefits on your mindset such as, improved mental health, better job satisfaction and improved confidence within your job role and a happy boss. Ask yourself this, if i was to offer you a tablet right now that would make you happier, healthier, more productive, energetic and a joy to be around would you take it? You probably would, that's exactly why you should move more because MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE.

I challenge everyone to go for a walk daily for one week for 10-20 minutes while listening to music or a podcast and come back and tell me they don’t feel better at the end of the week for doing so, I guarantee you’ll find it hard to come back and say you feel worse.

TFS Director—Jenny McIntyre—has been working with Coached by Coyle this year to work on her own health & well being. Here’s her thoughts…

What has Jordan taught you about consistency?

Jordan has taught me that it is not about being perfect, it’s about being better than you were yesterday. I am learning to listen to my body and to manage my pace – I don’t need to go to gym and give 120% every time. Since working with this mindset, I have noticed I am experiencing less aches, pains and problems with my joints. As someone who did weightlifting for 8 years, I got to a point where I would dread going to the gym - not because I didn’t enjoy, but because of the pain that would come after a session. The biggest cause of this was my mindset. I couldn’t hold back and always had to feel like I was giving my all, otherwise what was the point? Jordan has taught me to give 100% to the overall process and just the session right in front of me. I am now focussing on the bigger picture of my overall health, not just here and now.

How has working with Jordan impacted your mindset at work?

Developing the mindset of working 100% towards the process has transformed my mindset at work. Practising listening to my mind and body has now transferred into my work life. I better understand that needing and taking a break can be guilt free and allows me to continue growing the business. We have also introduced short 30 minute training sessions in the morning that I have noticed makes a considerable difference to my day. On the days I do these sessions I am more alert, better focused and not as tired – even though I am up earlier LOL. With Jordan, I am working towards acknowledging the importance of taking time for myself and the benefits of that.