How a Healthy Lifestyle Contributes to Workplace Success
A phrase I often heard while going through Life Coach Training with Health Coach Institute was, “How we do one thing is how we do everything.” What they meant by this was that all aspects of a person’s life are interconnected. If you have a negative mindset about your career, you likely also have a negative mindset about your finances or your health. If you are sloppy with your finances, you may also be sloppy with your productivity at work. While there are certainly exceptions to this rule, I believe there is true value that areas in our life are all connected. For example, when things are going well with your relationships or your finances, things will probably also be going well in your career.
As a Certified Life Coach and Health Coach, working with my clients has shown me that a healthy lifestyle contributes to success in the workplace. I find that when my clients eat foods that give them energy, exercise regularly, and take actions to reduce stress, they perform better in their jobs.
Improve Your Mood
Regular exercise has a profound positive impact on your mood. Whenever you work out, your body releases endorphins, which are the “happy chemicals” of the body. When you move your body, you are able to reduce stress, release endorphins, and therefore improve your mood significantly. Exercise will also improve your sleep so you don’t wake up grouchy. With this improved mood, you can increase your productivity, improve your relationships with colleagues, and find more joy in your work.
Increase Your Energy and Productivity
The food you eat directly affects your energy levels. By eating healthy, nourishing meals that give you energy, your energy and productivity will increase, as well as your ability to focus throughout the workday. When you reduce your sugar and caffeine intake, your energy levels will be further stabilized, so you’re not on an energy “roller coaster” of sorts during the workday. I recommend sticking to water after 11 am each day and eliminating sodas and coffee drinks. Being conscious of what you put in your body during the day will contribute to success at work.
Develop a Confident Mindset
The women I work with often tell me that when they start putting effort into living a healthy lifestyle, they frequently start feeling more confident about themselves in all areas of life. Of course, they start feeling better about their bodies. Taking it one step further, it also improves their relationships with their partners and friends, as well as confidence in the workplace. Going to work with high self-esteem and working with a confident mindset will make you more likely to foster good relationships with co-workers, take calculated risks, and be viewed as a leader or manager by your colleagues.
Reduce Stress
As I’ve already mentioned, exercising is a great way to reduce stress. Additionally, meditation, yoga, or other mindfulness practices are other ways to “get your head in the game” at the start of a workday. Doing some sort of mindfulness exercise will help manage your stress and stay focused on what’s really important. Take breaks throughout the day to ensure your brain doesn’t fog from sitting in one place for too long. Lastly, make sure to eat meals away from your desk. A change of scenery can work wonders for reducing stress!
