The New Habit Challenge: Can Getting Fit Also Make Us More Productive?
Join our resident habit expert Rachel Gillett and other Fast Company editors on Friday, November 14 at 11 a.m. EST as we discuss what happened when we exercised our way to getting more done.
Exercise isn’t just a great way to get fitter and healthier
bodies—it turns out a mere 20 minutes of activity a day can also give our
minds the boost we need to get more done.
Recent research has shown that the brain reacts in several
beneficial ways to exercise. For example, it triggers the release of a protein
called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, which helps improve our learning and
memory. Additionally, exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which
significantly reduce feelings of stress.
"A reduction in stress is tantamount to an expansion of
time," writes one expert.
Just as importantly, the feelings of self-efficacy that we
get when we exercise make us less likely to avoid difficult tasks or situations
and more likely to see them as challenges to be mastered.
To be more productive, we can exercise any time during the
day with whatever activity we like best. In fact, to see mental benefits,
exercise doesn't have to be extremely rigorous; just a little bit of movement
every day for about 20 minutes at a time helps.
For this week's habit challenge, several of us at Fast
Company are putting this idea to the test by working out for 20 minutes each
day. Join us for a live chat at 11 a.m. EST on Friday, November 14 to find out
if our flirtations with yoga, walking, or some good old-fashioned calisthenics
helped us get more done.
Did you try working out for a more productive week? Tell us
about your experience in the "make a comment" box below or join in
the discussion on Friday.
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As usual, I was too busy to begin the challenge this morning, but I've been getting ready to start after work today by moving around a lot during the day and lifting dumbbells to warm up. I'm going to start today by walking all around my neighborhood.
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I've made it through two days of the challenge. I'm spending 20 minutes at the gym each night, something I haven't done in the past because it sounds so brief. But it's way better to go to the gym for 20 minutes then my usual modus operandi, which is to consider spending an hour at the gym but not actually do it.
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I began walking on the treadmill for 30-60 min at least 4 times a week about a month ago. Huge difference!! I also alternate days with push ups and sit ups. Getting better. Bought the Jawbone UP band and use the software on my phone. I set reminders to drink more water and it tells me if I've been "idle" for 30 mins. I get up and walk around our office inside and/or out depending on the weather. I encourage everyone to take the challenge.
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Will 20 Minutes Of Exercise Make Us Happier And More Productive?
Fast CompanyResearch says exercise improves our memories and mood, but if we make time for the treadmill every day will we really be more productive? -
Hi, everyone! I’m Rachel, editorial assistant here at Fast Company and resident habit challenge expert/guinea pig. I’ll be hosting the chat with some other FastCo. editors today, and we’ll be getting started in about 10 minutes, so get your questions ready! Don't forget to brush up on this week's challenge.
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We’re all set to begin, and I’ll kick things off by introducing our editors who participated in this week’s habit challenge, exercising to be more productive. Welcome Copy Editor David Penick, Assistant News Editor Rose Pastore, Technology Editor Harry McCracken, and Associate Editor of Fast Company’s Co.Labs John Paul Titlow. Thanks for participating in today’s chat!
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Just a reminder, we challenged everyone to work out for 20 minutes each day to boost productivity.
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Let’s start things off by quickly talking about our new exercise routines. What did you guys do this week?
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I ended up alternating my routine between waking up early and exercising in the morning and exercising when I got home from work. I did between 20 and 30 minutes of light cardio with Daily Burn, which was awesome.
I also picked up some basic kickboxing moves, so if I’m ever confronted in a dark alley by a really lethargic mugger, I’m set. -
I went to the gym every evening and worked out for 20 minutes--pretty much exactly 20 minutes, so it wasn't too intimidating. I also tried to err on the side of walking instead of driving or taking the subway.
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I mostly did fast-paced walks around my neighborhood, but by Wednesday I started working in calisthenics, like push-ups, jumping jacks.
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I already run once or twice a week, but this week I made it a point to do it everyday. I'm not built for early mornings, so I squeezed this in after work. About 3 miles each time.
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I did all of my exercise in the evenings after work.
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I did a few minutes each on leg curls, biking, a stairclimber, pulldowns, etc. I mixed it up so that nothing got tedious. And I confess I was reading stuff on my phone when doing exercises which left my hands free.
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(This is of course more than 20 minutes. Door to door it's probably more like 30 or 40. )