RMN'S Blog
Benefits of Exercise for Lawyers
The benefits of exercise help the body and mind be more efficient and strong. Working in a law firm is an exciting, rewarding, intriguing and stressful work environment. Finding time to fit in an exercise routine may be on the bottom of your list, but can be very beneficial to both your health and overall work life. Here are reasons why exercise can improve your overall health and wellness:
Exercise reverses the adverse effects of stress.
Stress causes the body to release hormones that trigger the body’s inflammation response, which, over time, causes damage to the body’s tissues. In other words, it causes you to age faster internally and externally. About 30 minutes of exercise a day causes the brain to release hormones (serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine) to soothe and calm your body. This will cause your cells to relax, reverse aging, and repair damage at the cellular level. Less stress also means better sleep and overall energy also.
It aids depression.
Research has shown that sweat-inducing activities can lower levels of depression. Exercise stimulates neurons in the brain that are damaged by depression, and causes them to become more active again. Exercising also boosts your mood by releasing reward hormones into the bloodstream, which is then carried throughout your body to give you that euphoric feeling.
Exercise improves learning and memory.
Having trouble remembering things you just read or heard? The act of exercise causes the body to release growth factors that cause both muscle and brain cells to expand. In the brain, neurons start to make new connections between each other, thus enhancing one’s ability to send messages between neurons. Exercises like dance and tennis are good brain cell boosters since they require muscle and brain interaction.
Don’t forget that exercising improves your self-esteem and body image.
Shedding a few pounds is great for your body and how you feel about yourself. It is rewarding to know that your hard work is paying off also, which, once again, boosts your mood.
Having a regular exercise routine can also lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Research has shown that exercising is the best known weapon to lower the chances and onset of Alzheimer’s disease. It protects the hippocampus, which controls memory and spatial navigation, by stimulating those neurons and keeping them active. A daily walk or job is sufficient enough to lower your risk. Exercise also lowers the risk of many preventable diseases like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and heart attacks, which are all enhanced by a sedentary lifestyle.
Exercising is a habit that seems difficult to fit into any lawyer’s hectic lifestyle. Finding the time to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 2 to 3 times a week can drastically change your health mentally and physically. Be the one at your law firm who inspires others to take control of their health, and start an exercise routine.
