THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK 9-5

5 Reasons Why You Should Keep Fit

Having an exercise routine is a strange term to many people who work from 9-5 in a day, for 5 or 6 days a week. It has to be odd because after working for about 8-9 hours, exercising cannot be part of the day’s agenda. The journeys to and fro work take a few hours as well, and cumulatively the amount of time spent working (preparing for work and the actual work) is truly enormous. Having an exercise routine is however possible still if you are willing to see it through. 

Hello there! My name is Jesutofunmi Komolafe, a creative content writer and an undergraduate of Ekiti State University studying Plant Science. I wasn't always been good at writing; a turnaround came for me in my final year of secondary school when our English teacher was gearing us up for the WASSCE examinations. Everybody had to up their game because Mr Bello was intentional about everyone writing excellently. Fast forward to 2020 when the lockdown kicked off, I needed to get my hands on something to get me through that phase. I stumbled on a digital marketing course and realized that writing is an area of strength for me, and I have majored in writing content and short-form copy ever since.

The year 2020 was also the year that I started to invest in getting physically fit, and I have enjoyed every bit of the journey of getting fitter and more robust. I will be writing on health and fitness here on TWW because I love to help people realize how exercising regularly can help them become a better version of themselves. Health is wealth, the longer you can keep your body functioning optimally, the better positioned you are to achieve your goals and dreams.

Let us get on with the article, shall we…

If there’s one thing that keeps the doctor away – besides a healthy eating habit, of course – it’s exercise. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. So before you begin to make a list of excuses for not exercising because you work from sunrise to sunset, think about what it does to your health and how it has the potential to make you feel better. 

Studies indicate that our mental strength is directly linked to our physical regimen. And one major area where this implication is highly relevant is in your performance at work. With this uncovered, let us dive into how having an exercise routine can be beneficial to those who work 9-5. Here are 5 benefits: 

1. Exercise can improve your mood

Research has proven over time that exercise improves mood and decreases feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. It produces changes in the parts of the brain that regulate stress and anxiety. According to Healthline, it can also increase brain sensitivity to the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which relieve feelings of depression. So it doesn’t matter how intense or light your exercise session is, it leaves you feeling better; this way you can have a better approach to work.

2. Exercise can help your brain health

Physical activity can help improve your cognitive health- helping you think, learn, solve problems, and enjoy an emotional balance. Exercise increases your heart rate, which promotes the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain. It can also stimulate the production of hormones that enhance the growth of brain cells. The ability of exercise to prevent chronic diseases can translate into benefits for your brain since the function of the brain is affected by these diseases.

3. Exercise can help with relaxation and quality sleep

Regular exercise can help you relax and sleep better. The energy level expended during an exercise session will naturally trigger a need for adequate rest for the body. One study conducted over 4 months found that both stretching and resistance exercise led to improvements in sleep for people with chronic insomnia- according to Healthline. A good night's sleep leaves you refreshed and ready for the next day.

4. Exercise can help with weight loss

For people who work 9-5, gaining weight comes as a bonus off work. Many 9-5 jobs require that you sit in front of a desk with a computer in front of you. Sitting in a spot for a long time increases the tendency to gain more weight because you take in calories and you don’t get to burn calories sitting in a spot for 3 hours or more. Exercising on the other hand ensures that you burn calories, leaving your body with the required amount of calories/energy for optimum body function. If you’re looking to lose weight, check out this article for a detailed approach to exercising for weight loss.

5. Exercise may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases

Just like an appliance will naturally go bad, acquiring dust and other unwanted particles when it is not in use and not well maintained; the human body will store up unwanted visitors when the owner of the body does not engage in physical activity. Lack of regular physical activity is the primary cause of chronic disease according to NIH. Engaging in the right amount of exercise daily is crucial to maintaining a healthy heart, and preventing chronic diseases. Regular exercise helps you maintain a healthy blood sugar level, as well as a healthy cholesterol level. It is common knowledge that excess cholesterol in the body is threatening to heart health, and excess sugar in the blood is the cause of diabetes and other body malfunctions. Exercising is in your best interest.

Starting exercise will not come easy, but the important thing is that you start. The key to incorporating exercise into that tight schedule of yours is starting small. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a technical exercise routine, having 10 minutes of light exercise will go a long way in helping you stay healthy. Consistency is what matters. So today, choose to invest in your health and career by taking out time to exercise daily. 

In our next article, we will compile a list of ways to exercise amid your tight schedule. Stay tuned.