How to boost self-productivity - My Health Line Blog

Worrying figures, from a study conducted by a researcher at Brigham University in the United States, revealed that people living an unhealthy lifestyle, including unhealthy diets, were as much as 66% more likely to experience a loss of productivity than those who lived by a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is also said to release endorphins which can have positive psychological effects, such as a ‘euphoric high’. But what is it that leads to a productivity boost? MaxiMuscle investigate:

Physical welfare

Of course, the physical benefits of a clean diet and successful workout regime are easy to point out because in most cases, they are visible – it will keep you in shape, and help you work towards a healthy, toned and defined body.

Every industry professional will emphasise how important diet is. When losing weight and toning up, many professionals tell you that the results you see come from 80% diet and 20% exercise. Count your calories, and stick to the main macronutrients of carbohydrates, protein and essential fats. Carbohydrates are our main source of energy, and without energy, our productivity is limited. Protein also provides the body with energy, but is also the building blocks of muscle, bone, skin and blood. Protein is what helps your muscles repair following a workout. Dietary fats are required to provide the body energy and support cell growth – it is important to eat the right fats – too much fatty foods will result in weight gain.

Usually experienced during or after your workout, the physical benefits of exercise are both apparent short-term and long-term. For example, you’ll feel the aches the following day after a workout, and within time you will see the muscle building, tone defining and weight loss. The more you exercise, the better your fitness levels become — meaning you can exercise for longer. Following exercise, you might begin to see the results of hitting your fitness goals with defined muscles, six packs and toned booties. However, exercising, whilst it can release endorphins, also burns calories and takes up a lot of energy so it is vital that you fuel for a workout so that your performance and productivity is not limited. Many gym goers have protein power or shakes before a workout for an added energy boost during their regime.

Emotional wellbeing

It is easy to see the physical benefits of exercise and a clean diet; however, many people will overlook or miss the emotional benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Many people have reported that exercise helps to reduce stress improve sleep, boost self-esteem and ward off depression and anxiety. This could be down to a release of endorphins during exercise. Endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain, whilst triggering a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine.

A sense of euphoria and emotional wellbeing are common effects of a release of endorphins. But how does this link to an increase in productivity? Your frame of mind significantly effects how productive you are. Researchers from the Penn State University found in their study that the more physically active people reported greater general feelings of excitement and enthusiasm, compared with the less physically active people. Further research by the Harvard Business Review revealed that feeling calm, happy and energised were the main three influential feelings that drove the greatest levels of performance – showing a clear link between frame of mind and productivity.

A combination of regular exercise and a clean diet are clearly linked to a boost in energy and a release of endorphins – if the effects of that means your feel a euphoric high and a positive feeling in the body, then surely the positive effects of a healthy lifestyle can be linked to productivity. You can also check out some podcasts on wellbeing to help you get started.