The first installment of Mental Health Monday focused on the need for time away and the benefits of vacation.  Well we are back from the beach today and ready to tackle additional tools for success that relate to wellbeing and mental health.  

Exercise is an aspect of physical wellbeing that spreads benefits across all areas of life.  Mental, emotional, psychological, spiritual, professional, and even financial.  The research is there to support the fact that a regular habit of exercise supports individuals in numerous ways and is often a common denominator for successful entrepreneurs in particular. 

In an article by Jennifer Cohen in Entrepreneur she notes that, “regular physical activity, be it running, lifting, or yoga, can provide you with up to four extra hours of productivity every day.”  Cohen points out the number of highly successful business professionals attribute exercise as an integral part of their success–she even notes that former president Barack Obama made time for 45 minutes of daily exercise.  If the President of the United States can find time in his schedule I have to imagine we too can make this ideal a reality. 

Exercise promotes positive energy, clarity of thinking, emotional regulation, healthy competition, proclivity towards goal setting and achieving, releases endorphins that fight depression, as well as burning adrenaline that contributes to anxiety—say nothing about the physical benefits related to health, weight, and body system functioning. 

If you find yourself feeling burnt out or low on creativity try this approach for a week or two and see if you notice a difference.  

The Raza Properties Challenge: Can you wake up just 20 minutes earlier? Sneak out for a 30 minute lunch break workout? Take a walk after dinner?  Enjoy an evening yoga routine before bed? Park a distance from your destination?  Instead of meeting a colleague for coffee meet up on the Schuylkill River trail and take a walk instead?  How can you make it happen for yourself?