Exercise helps people feel less stressed, good about themselves and confident in their abilities. A new study found that this had a positive effect on both their work and personal lives. The associations between exercise and work-life balance were very strong, although the study does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
The study author states that “For those who don’t exercise regularly, the idea of adding that regimen to a busy schedule to improve stress levels may seem counterintuitive.” A spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise explains that physical activity offers benefits beyond the obvious and that, “People should think of it as a kind of investment. You may be active for 30 minutes a day, but the productivity and mental focus you’re going to get out of it is going to far exceed what you put into it, from a work and family perspective.”
