The positive effects exercise has on business travelers physical and mental health.
Business travelers usually have very tight schedules where they have no time to exercise. Traveling can become extremely disruptive in the daily lives of those travelers, which then leads them to not putting a lot of priority into exercising which results in negative health consequences both physically and mentally.
Exercising is extremely important to maintain not only a healthy body but a healthy mind as well. Especially for business travelers who lead very stressful lives, it is highly recommended to get exercise preferably every day for around thirty minutes, or at least a couple days a week.
Benefits of exercise while traveling:
One of the leading problems business travelers have to face is constant fatigue, which seems to take exercising off the table due to lack of energy. The good news is, several studies have found that exercising is actually one of the best cures for fatigue! Even low intensity workouts for as little as 20 minutes three times a week can drastically boost energy levels. As you exercise, the mitochondria in your cells work very hard to become stronger and create energy to sustain the exercising periods, which means that working out even in small amounts will leave you feeling energized. A study by Dr. Puetz from the University of Georgia took three groups of 36 people who lived with constant fatigue. One group followed a low intensity exercise plan, another higher intensity, and the third no exercise at all. By the end of the study the group with low intensity exercise reported a 65% drop in fatigue while the higher intensity reported a 49% drop.
Business travelers often overwork, running around on few to no hours of sleep, jetlag, unhealthy eating, all which leads to exhaustion and several other unhealthy results such as bad mood and weight gain. Exercising even for short periods each day could help solve those problems.
Working out tips for travelers:
Hotels are extremely unreliable when it comes to gyms and working out areas, which is why we encourage you to go out and try different working out strategies which will also include the city you’re visiting.
Being able to plan ahead, pack necessary workout clothes, wake up early and work out by running through a new city, or by doing body weight exercises at a local park surrounded by nature, will allow you to enjoy a new city and its views outdoors, and it will also keep you healthy, motivated and energized throughout your trip. Research from the University of Exeter in England shows how running and exercising outdoors will create a large energy boost as well as a drop in stress, tension, anger, sadness and feelings of depression. But, sometimes exercising outdoors is not possible. Maybe due to weather, unsafe locations, or other circumstances out of your control, doing low intensity exercises indoors in your hotel room or another private area will still let you enjoy all the amazing benefits working out brings.
Low intensity exercises have been proven to lessen fatigue, burn fat, build muscle, create cardiovascular endurance, and strengthen your joints, ligaments and tendons. It also releases endorphins in your brain which help alleviate pain and stress as well as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin which stabilize your mood and give you feelings of pleasure.
A study done by Harvard school of public health found that exercising for as little as 15 minutes a day can help cure depression by 26% and that mild to moderate exercise can be as effective as antidepressant medication. Also help in relieving stress, anxiety and even helps with side effects of PTSD or trauma.
A great tip for travelers is to download applications which will help you get quick and efficient workouts. Applications such as Nike Training club and Freeletics bodyweight will allow you to have great workouts with no equipment in a small period of time.
The positive benefits exercise has on the body and the mind are endless, and for business travelers who have to deal with constant stress, anxiety and fatigue, it could drastically improve their health as well as the experiences in the cities they visit. Next time you’re going on a business trip, make sure to plan ahead, pack some workout clothes and exercise for a few minutes! Your body and your mind will thank you!